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Glycogenolysis is a critical metabolic pathway that involves the breakdown of glycogen into glucose. Glycogen, a polysaccharide composed of glucose units, is the primary storage form of glucose in animals, primarily stored in the liver and muscle tissues. When the body requires glucose for energy, especially in response to increased physical activity or fasting, glycogenolysis is initiated. The process begins when glycogen phosphorylase, an enzyme, cleaves glucose units from glycogen by adding an inorganic phosphate (Pi) group to form glucose-1-phosphate (G1P). The glucose-1-phosphate can then be converted into glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) by the action of phosphoglucomutase. In the liver, glucose-6-phosphate can be dephosphorylated by glucose-6-phosphatase, releasing free glucose into the bloodstream to maintain blood glucose levels. In muscle cells, glucose-6-phosphate is primarily used for glycolysis, an energy-producing pathway, as muscle cells lack glucose-6-phosphatase. This pathway ensures that glucose is available in times of need, such as during exercise or periods of low blood sugar.
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