How many ATP are produced in glycogenolysis?

Sourav PanDecember 15, 2024

Answered

Glycogenolysis itself does not directly produce ATP. The breakdown of glycogen into glucose-1-phosphate (G1P) and then glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) consumes no ATP, but these metabolites are intermediates for ATP production in subsequent pathways. Once glucose-6-phosphate enters glycolysis, ATP is produced. In glycolysis, 2 ATP molecules are consumed during the initial steps (energy investment phase), and 4 ATP molecules are generated in the later steps (energy generation phase), resulting in a net gain of 2 ATP per glucose molecule. Additionally, if the glucose enters the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, more ATP will be produced.