Question

Question: If your blood sugar level is low from skipping lunch, what reaction (discussed in this exercise) will occur in your liver cells? Write out the reaction and put the name of the enzyme over the reaction arrow. How will this reaction affect your blood sugar level?

Short answer

In the liver cell, glucose-6-phosphate degrades to produce glucose and inorganic phosphate (Pi).

The blood sugar level increases in the body due to glucose synthesis.

Step-by-step solution

Effect of low blood sugar level on liver cells

When the blood sugar level decreases, glycogen in the liver is converted into glucose. The glycogen is converted into glucose -6-phosphate, which is further degraded by the enzymes into glucose and inorganic phosphate.

Action of glucose-6-phosphatase

Glucose-6-phosphatase is found in the liver cells of mammals. This enzyme plays an essential role in maintaining blood sugar levels. The enzyme acts on glucose-6-phosphate and degrades it to release glucose and phosphate ions in the liver cells.

Effect of glucose produced on blood sugar level

The glucose molecules produced in the liver cells are sent into the bloodstream. As a result, the blood sugar level increases. Thus, the action of glucose-6-phosphatase on glucose-6-phosphate increases the level of sugar in the blood.