In: Biology
Explạin the purpose of gluconeogenesis ạnd know the potentiạl cạrbon sources for glucose synthesis
Gluconeogenesis is the process by which glucose is synthesized from noncarbohydrate precursors. Gluconeogenesis is integral for survival as glucose is the primary fuel used by the brain (average daily requirement is approximately 120 g) and the only fuel used by red blood cells. Approximately 20g of glucose is present in body fluid 20 g and about 190 g is available from glycogen. Though these glucose reserves meet the daily glucose needs of an individual, during longer starvation periods, it becomes essential that glucose is produced from the noncarbohydrate sources.
Gluconeogenesis converts pyruvate into glucose. Noncarbohydrate precursors of glucose are converted to pyruvate for the purpose of gluconeogenesis or enter the pathway as oxaloacetate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate at later stages. The major precursors are lactate (formed in active skeletal muscles when glycolysis rate is greater than the rate of oxidative metabolism. Lactate dehydrogenase converts lactate into pyruvate),amino acids (derived from the daily protein intake or the breakdown of proteins in skeletal muscle during starvation) and glycerol (Glycerol enters the gluconeogenic pathway at dihydroxyacetone phosphate).