What is gluconeogenesis?

What is gluconeogenesis?

• A. The production of glucose from protein or fat
• B. The production of glycogen from glucose
• C. Breakdown of glucose
• D. Storage of glucose

Answer: (A)

Gluconeogenesis is the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, mainly during fasting or low carbohydrate intake. The liver is the primary site (with the kidneys contributing a role during prolonged fasting) and uses substrates such as amino acids from protein and glycerol from fat to form glucose. This pathway keeps blood glucose levels stable for tissues that depend on glucose, like the brain and red blood cells. It is not about making glycogen, breaking down glucose, or storing glucose, which is why producing glucose from protein or fat best captures the concept.

Gluconeogenesis is the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, mainly during fasting or low carbohydrate intake. The liver is the primary site (with the kidneys contributing a role during prolonged fasting) and uses substrates such as amino acids from protein and glycerol from fat to form glucose. This pathway keeps blood glucose levels stable for tissues that depend on glucose, like the brain and red blood cells. It is not about making glycogen, breaking down glucose, or storing glucose, which is why producing glucose from protein or fat best captures the concept.