Identifying Specific Carbohydrate Functions - Biochemistry

Card 1 of 12

0
Didn't Know
Knew It
0
1 of 1211 left
Question

Upon examination, a patient is found to have low levels of glucose in his blood. Which of the following observation(s) might be found in this patient?

I. The patient is lethargic

II. Decreased levels of glycogen

III. Decreased levels of fatty acids

Tap to reveal answer

Answer

Glucose is a monosaccharide that is utilized for energy production in cells. Decrease in glucose levels in blood and tissues will lead to decreased production of energy (ATP) and, subsequently, will cause the person to be lethargic. Recall that glucose undergoes glycolysis to create products that will eventually undergo Krebs cycle and/or oxidative phosphorylation to generate ATP.

Glycogen is a storage molecule found typically in liver. It is made up of numerous glucose molecules bonded together by glycosidic bonds. If there is a decrease in blood glucose levels, liver initiates the breakdown of glycogen to individual glucose molecules and deposits these molecules in the blood; therefore, this patient’s liver will break down glycogen and create individual glucose molecules.

Fatty acid is another type of macromolecule used to synthesize energy. If there is a decrease in levels of glucose, fatty acids from adipose tissue and muscle will be mobilized and released into the blood. These fatty acids will now travel to tissues and supply energy (by generating ATP).

← Didn't Know|Knew It →