1. Explain why the liver is the only organ able to secrete glucose into the blood. (1 point)
– It uses glucose 6 phosphatase which pulls the phosphate off and releases glucose back
into the blood. The liver is the only organ that has glucose 6 phosphatase.
2. Your friend wants to lose weight by eliminating fats from her diet, but she is dismayed
to find that she is still gaining weight. You notice that she has increased the amount of
sugary foods she eats. Describe the metabolic pathway by which glucose can be converted
into fat. (3 points)
– Large amounts of ATP in the body can be converted to fat. During this conversion
glycolysis takes place and creates pyruvate which is then converted to acetyl CoA. Some
intermediates do not convert to pyruvic acid which turns the acetic acid components of the
acetyl CoA into fat. The intermediates that were not converted to pyruvic acid is then
converted into glycerol. The acetic acids are then converted to fatty acids. A glycerol and 3
fatty acids form triglyceride. Triglyceride is the main component in body fat.
3. Your friend decides to try the Atkins diet, since the no-fat diet didn’t work. Now she has
eliminated all carbohydrates from her diet. Explain how energy is obtained from the
metabolism of amino acids. (2 points)
– Excess protein can be converted to energy for the body. Before your body can covert the
excess protein into energy the amino acid must first be broken down by way of
