Which organ releases stored glycogen into the bloodstream during hypoglycemia?

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Multiple Choice

Which organ releases stored glycogen into the bloodstream during hypoglycemia?

When blood sugar falls, the body's quick fix is to release glucose from stores in the liver. The liver holds a large reservoir of glycogen that can be rapidly converted to glucose and sent into the bloodstream to raise blood glucose levels. This process is driven by signals like glucagon (and epinephrine) that trigger liver cells to perform glycogenolysis. A key point is that the liver can export free glucose because liver cells have glucose-6-phosphatase, which converts glucose-6-phosphate to free glucose for release into the blood. In contrast, glycogen stored in muscles is used locally to power muscle contractions and muscles lack the enzyme to export glucose to the bloodstream, so that glycogen isn’t released into the circulation. The kidneys can generate glucose through gluconeogenesis later, but they don’t release stored glycogen in response to hypoglycemia. The organ responsible for releasing stored glycogen into the bloodstream during hypoglycemia is the liver.

When blood sugar falls, the body's quick fix is to release glucose from stores in the liver. The liver holds a large reservoir of glycogen that can be rapidly converted to glucose and sent into the bloodstream to raise blood glucose levels. This process is driven by signals like glucagon (and epinephrine) that trigger liver cells to perform glycogenolysis. A key point is that the liver can export free glucose because liver cells have glucose-6-phosphatase, which converts glucose-6-phosphate to free glucose for release into the blood.

In contrast, glycogen stored in muscles is used locally to power muscle contractions and muscles lack the enzyme to export glucose to the bloodstream, so that glycogen isn’t released into the circulation. The kidneys can generate glucose through gluconeogenesis later, but they don’t release stored glycogen in response to hypoglycemia. The organ responsible for releasing stored glycogen into the bloodstream during hypoglycemia is the liver.

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