Answer to Question #261745 in Biochemistry for James

Question

43. An individual has a genetic deficiency that prevents the

production of glucokinase. Following a carbohydrate meal,

do you expect blood glucose levels to be high, low, or about

normal? What organ accumulates glycogen under these

circumstances?

Answer 1

The glucokinase (GCK) is a specific enzyme that found in cells of the liver and pancreas of vertebrate animals, and primarily facilitates the phosphorylation of glucose into the glucose-6-phosphate during the initial step of glycolysis process in the cellular respiration.

If an individual has a genetic deficiency that prevents the production of glucokinase enzyme, it would lead to decrease the concession of glucose into glucose-6-phosphate substrate, and thus results in the increased blood glucose levels.

During this condition, the excess glucose of blood changed into the glycogen polymer (polysaccharide) via the process of glycogenesis, and accumulated or stored in the liver cells.