glycogenesis

Last reviewed 01/2018

Glycogenesis is the formation of glycogen from glucose. It occurs in both liver and muscle. In both tissues, glycogen can be seen to be microscopically stored within cytoplasmic granules.

In the liver, glycogen reserves are needed for rapid and sensitively-controlled release of glucose. The liver thus acts as a store for ongoing adjustments to plasma glucose levels.

In skeletal muscle, glycogen is used to provide a source of ATP to power myofibrillar contraction.

There is a close, inverse relationship between glycogenesis and glycogenolysis.