conversion of glucose to glycogen

1. Glucose is stored in the body as glycogen. The liver is an important storage site for glycogen. Glycogen is
mobilized and converted to glucose by gluconeogenesis when the blood glucose concentration is low. Glucose
may also be produced from non-carbohydrate precursors, such as pyruvate, amino acids and glycerol, by
gluconeogenesis. It is gluconeogenesis that maintains blood glucose concentrations, for example during
starvation and intense exercise.

2. Metabolism Begins
The metabolism process begins with digestion. Monosaccharides are absorbed into the bloodstream upon
entering the small intestine. To control blood sugar, your body has three hormones: glucagon, insulin and
epinephrine. Insulin, which your pancreas secretes when your blood sugar levels increase, helps along the
transfer of glucose into your cells. Glucose metabolism is focused heavily in the muscles and liver, which receive
more glucose than your other organs do because they have specific insulin receptors on their surface so that
insulin can bind to them, thereby encouraging glucose entry and use in these cells.
Glycogenolysis
Upon entering the liver and muscles, the glucose is changed into glycogen by the process of glycogenesis.
Glycogen stays in your liver and muscles until your glucose levels are low and you need energy. At this time, the
epinephrine and glucogon hormones are released to stimulate the conversion of glycogen to glucose in a process
called glycogenolysis. Once the glucose enters your cells, it is burned for energy and produces heat. This process
also creates adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, a molecule that releases energy when needed by the cell. The
energy is used for many metabolic processes and is considered the universal energy currency for metabolism