Question

Glucose 1-phosphate formed by glycogen degradation is converted to glucose 6-phosphate by phosphoglucomutase. Why is this beneficial?

Answer 1

Answer:

Glycogen degradation is an important process which provides energy in the form of glucose when the organism is a deficit in glucose concentration.

The glycogen degradation pathway form intermediate compounds which can be utilized by the cell in various forms like glucose 1-phosphate is converted to glucose 6-phosphate  (G6P) by phosphoglucomutase.

This is a critical step because it controls other important pathways of the cell-like:

1. Gluconeogenesis: G6P is converted to glucose via gluconeogenesis.

2. Glycolysis: G6P is broken down via the glycolysis pathway.

3. Pentose phosphate pathway: G6P can be oxidized via PPP pathway.

Thus, the formation of an intermediate compound is beneficial to the cell.