Siti Muntaziri
Jan 7
With the aid of well labelled diagram explain why and how organism are able to convert fats into glucose?
From knowledge of biochemistry
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Jan 7
Organisms are able to convert fats into glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis. This process occurs primarily in the liver and to a lesser extent in the kidneys. Gluconeogenesis is the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as fats and proteins, when glucose levels in the body are low.
Here is a well-labelled diagram explaining the process:
1. Fatty acids are released from adipose tissue (fat cells) and transported to the liver.
2. In the liver, fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation, a series of chemical reactions that break down the fatty acids into two-carbon units called acetyl-CoA.
3. Acetyl-CoA enters the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle) within the mitochondria of liver cells.
4. During the citric acid cycle, acetyl-CoA is further broken down, releasing energy in the form of ATP and producing carbon dioxide (CO2).
5. The energy released from the citric acid cycle is used to generate ATP, which is the primary energy currency of cells.
6. Some of the carbon atoms from the acetyl-CoA are used to synthesize oxaloacetate, a four-carbon molecule.
7. Oxaloacetate is then converted into phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), a three-carbon molecule, through a series of enzymatic reactions.
8. PEP is then converted into glucose-6-phosphate, the first step in glucose synthesis.
9. Glucose-6-phosphate can be further converted into glucose, which can be released into the bloodstream to maintain blood glucose levels.
Overall, the process of converting fats into glucose allows organisms to maintain a steady supply of glucose, which is essential for energy production and various metabolic processes in the body.
Here is a well-labelled diagram explaining the process:
1. Fatty acids are released from adipose tissue (fat cells) and transported to the liver.
2. In the liver, fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation, a series of chemical reactions that break down the fatty acids into two-carbon units called acetyl-CoA.
3. Acetyl-CoA enters the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle) within the mitochondria of liver cells.
4. During the citric acid cycle, acetyl-CoA is further broken down, releasing energy in the form of ATP and producing carbon dioxide (CO2).
5. The energy released from the citric acid cycle is used to generate ATP, which is the primary energy currency of cells.
6. Some of the carbon atoms from the acetyl-CoA are used to synthesize oxaloacetate, a four-carbon molecule.
7. Oxaloacetate is then converted into phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), a three-carbon molecule, through a series of enzymatic reactions.
8. PEP is then converted into glucose-6-phosphate, the first step in glucose synthesis.
9. Glucose-6-phosphate can be further converted into glucose, which can be released into the bloodstream to maintain blood glucose levels.
Overall, the process of converting fats into glucose allows organisms to maintain a steady supply of glucose, which is essential for energy production and various metabolic processes in the body.
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