BIOL 201 Lecture 5: Complete
Document Summary
Glycogen, a polymer of glucose, is the primary storage form for carbohydrates in our body and the liver is the primary storage organ of glycogen in the body. Glycogen breakdown in the liver is stimulated by the hormone glucagon released by the pancreas, so that the liver can release glucose into the blood in the case of low blood glucose. Glycogen breakdown in muscle tissues is stimulated by the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline produced by the adrenal gland (medulla) during exercise). This can also be a response to a fight or flight reaction. Similar series of reactions occur in both the liver and the muscle tissues. The first thing that happens is that the hormone (glucagon or epinephrine) is released into the blood and it binds to a receptor on the plasma membrane of the target cell. Ex: glucagon binding to membrane receptor on liver cell.
