The products of a pathway, or the products of specific reactions in the pathway, will often inhibit upstream regulatory enzymes in that pathway. That makes sense - if the products of a pathway are abundant, then the pathway can be shut off to save energy or divert molecules into other pathways. We can use a similar rule of thumb to predict whether a pathway will be active in different biological states. For example, the liver stores glucose (in the form of glycogen), and will release glucose into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels drop. This glucose can come from the synthesis of glucose or breakdown of stored glycogen. This is important for maintaining blood sugar levels. What would you predict is the relationship between blood sugar levels and glycogen phosphorylase enzyme activity? A positive relationship (when blood sugar levels are high, glycogen phosphorylase activity is also high). A negative relationship (when blood sugar levels are high, glycogen phosphorylase activity is low). There is no relationship between blood sugar levels and glycogen phosphorylase activity.
The products of a pathway, or the products of specific reactions in the pathway, will often inhibit upstream regulatory enzymes in that pathway. That makes sense - if the products of a pathway are abundant, then the pathway can be shut off to save energy or divert molecules into other pathways. We can use a similar rule of thumb to predict whether a pathway will be active in different biological states. For example, the liver stores glucose (in the form of glycogen), and will release glucose into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels drop. This glucose can come from the synthesis of glucose or breakdown of stored glycogen. This is important for maintaining blood sugar levels.
What would you predict is the relationship between blood sugar levels and glycogen phosphorylase enzyme activity?
- A positive relationship (when blood sugar levels are high, glycogen phosphorylase activity is also high).
- A negative relationship (when blood sugar levels are high, glycogen phosphorylase activity is low).
- There is no relationship between blood sugar levels and glycogen phosphorylase activity.
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