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Multiple Choice
Which nucleotide is required for glycogen synthesis?
A
CTP
B
ATP
C
GTP
D
UDP-glucose
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of glycogen synthesis: Glycogen synthesis involves the addition of glucose units to a growing glycogen chain. This process requires an activated glucose molecule.
Learn about UDP-glucose: UDP-glucose (Uridine Diphosphate Glucose) is the activated form of glucose used in glycogen synthesis. It is formed by the reaction of glucose-1-phosphate with UTP (Uridine Triphosphate).
Recognize the enzymatic process: The enzyme UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase catalyzes the reaction between glucose-1-phosphate and UTP to produce UDP-glucose and pyrophosphate (PPi).
Understand the role of UDP-glucose in glycogen synthesis: Glycogen synthase uses UDP-glucose as a substrate to add glucose units to the glycogen chain, releasing UDP in the process.
Clarify why other nucleotides are not involved: CTP, ATP, and GTP are not directly involved in glycogen synthesis. UDP-glucose is specifically required because it provides the activated glucose molecule necessary for the enzymatic addition to glycogen.