Answer to Question #168019 in Biochemistry for Yashika Sharma

Question

Glucokinase act as a glucose sensor in hepatocytes (liver cell), alpha and beta cell of pancreas , enterocytes(intestinal wall cells) and the hypothalamus (a control center in the brain of numerous physiological processes) .why glucokinase perform this reaction?( 3 marks)

Answer 1

Glucokinase has low affinity for glucose. Glucokinase functions as the glucose sensor in the beta cell by controlling the rate of entry of glucose into the glycolytic pathway (glucose phosphorylation) and its subsequent metabolism. In the liver, glucokinase plays a key role in the ability to store glucose as glycogen, particularly in the postprandial state.