Glycogenesis, Glycogenolysis, and Gluconeogenesis - Essay Example

If both glucose and ATP are found in high amounts then the process of the conversion of glucose into glycogen is mediated by insulin, which is stored in the liver and muscles (Hardy 50). Glucose and Glycogen are the two major macronutrients found in the process.

2) Glycogenesis is an anabolic reaction because the series of reactions results in the formation of glycogen whereas, glycolysis is catabolic in nature because it breaks down large glucose molecules into smaller components and releases energy.

3) Cellular compartmentalization is very important so that the products of each process remain unaffected by the surrounding cellular activities. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm (cytosol) of cells. Cytoplasm is not a membrane-bound organelle. All the major constituents of cells are found suspended in it. Glycolysis requires enzymes, which are abundant, find in the cytoplasm. These enzymes are not found in other organelles like mitochondria. The process of glycogenesis occurs in the cytoplasm of the liver and muscle cells. When the blood sugar level is low, this stored glycogen is converted into glucose to replenish the energy requirement of the body as in the case of fight and flight.

Both processes need oxygen, which is present in the cytosol. In glycolysis, a high amount of energy is released; whereas, in glycogenesis, energy is required for the phosphorylation of glucose (Harvey 312). If cellular compartmentalization would not present, the chemicals produced in each reaction (glycogen and glucose) would mix up with the products of other chemical processes occurring in other organelles like the Krebs cycle in mitochondria. The product of glycolysis enters the Krebs cycle, which takes place in mitochondria. These are stepwise processes, which are controlled due to cellular compartmentalization.