GLYCOGENESIS Meaning and
Definition
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Glycogenesis is a biological process that occurs in organisms, especially in the liver and muscles, involving the formation or synthesis of glycogen. Glycogen is a polysaccharide composed of glucose molecules that serves as a storage form of glucose in animals and humans.
During glycogenesis, glucose molecules are converted into glycogen through a series of enzymatic reactions. The process is primarily regulated by the hormone insulin, which stimulates the uptake of glucose while promoting glycogen synthesis. When glucose levels in the blood are high, such as after a meal, insulin signals the liver and muscles to take up excess glucose and convert it into glycogen for storage. This helps to control blood sugar levels and ensures a readily available source of glucose when needed.
The synthesis of glycogen involves the addition of glucose molecules to a growing chain within the liver and muscle cells. The glucose molecules are activated by conversion to glucose-1-phosphate, and then, with the aid of enzymes like glycogen synthase, they are incorporated into the expanding glycogen molecule.
Glycogenesis is an essential process for maintaining adequate energy reserves and preventing hyperglycemia. It plays a vital role in normal glucose homeostasis and is particularly important during periods of fasting or prolonged physical activity when glycogen stores are broken down to supply glucose to the body.
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The formation of glucose or of glycogen.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GLYCOGENESIS
- flycogenesis
- vlycogenesis
- blycogenesis
- hlycogenesis
- ylycogenesis
- tlycogenesis
- gkycogenesis
- gpycogenesis
- goycogenesis
- glgcogenesis
- gl6cogenesis
- glyxogenesis
- glyvogenesis
- glyfogenesis
- glydogenesis
- glycigenesis
- glyckgenesis
- glyclgenesis
- glycpgenesis
Etymology of GLYCOGENESIS
The word "glycogenesis" is derived from two Greek roots: "glykys" which means "sweet" or "sugar", and "genesis" which means "formation" or "creation". Thus, "glycogenesis" can be translated as the "formation of sugar" or "generation of glycogen". In biology, glycogenesis refers to the metabolic process by which glycogen, a polymer of glucose, is created and stored in the liver and muscles for later use as an energy source.
Similar spelling word for GLYCOGENESIS
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