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Multiple Choice
Which of the following stimulates glycogen breakdown by activating glycogen phosphorylase?
A
Epinephrine
B
Glucose-6-phosphate
C
Insulin
D
ATP
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of glycogen phosphorylase in glycogen breakdown. Glycogen phosphorylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the release of glucose-1-phosphate from glycogen, a process known as glycogenolysis.
Step 2: Recognize the signaling pathways involved in glycogen breakdown. Glycogen phosphorylase is activated by phosphorylation, which is triggered by signaling molecules such as hormones.
Step 3: Analyze the options provided. Epinephrine is a hormone that binds to receptors on the cell surface, initiating a cascade that activates protein kinase A (PKA). PKA phosphorylates glycogen phosphorylase, stimulating glycogen breakdown.
Step 4: Consider the other options. Glucose-6-phosphate is a product of glycogen breakdown and does not activate glycogen phosphorylase. Insulin promotes glycogen synthesis, not breakdown. ATP is an energy molecule and does not directly activate glycogen phosphorylase.
Step 5: Conclude that epinephrine is the correct answer because it triggers the signaling cascade that leads to the activation of glycogen phosphorylase, facilitating glycogen breakdown.