Question

Skeletal myocytes and hepatocytes both store glycogen, but for different purposes. Myocytes synthesize glycogen when blood sugar is high and break it down when they need additional glucose to fuel their activity. The liver also stores glycogen when blood sugar is high, but breaks it down when blood sugar is low in order to supply other tissues with glucose.

Which of the following would you expect to see in response to insulin?
A. Glycogen synthesis is activated in myocytes but inhibited in hepatocytes. incorrect
B. Glycogen synthesis is inhibited in myocytes but activated in hepatocytes.
C. Glycogen synthesis is activated in both myocytes and hepatocytes.
D. Glycogen synthesis is inhibited in both myocytes and hepatocytes.

Answer 1

C. Glycogen synthesis is activated in both myocytes and hepatocytes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Insulin is a hormone secreted by β cells of pancreas when blood sugar levels are high. It promotes the entry of glucose to the cells in the body, which use it as an energy source.

High blood glucose levels are a high energy state, and myocytes and liver cells store that excess energy as glycogen for future times of need.

For that reason, when insulin levels are high it means that blood sugar is high, and therefore both myocytes and hepatocytes will store the energy by activating glycogen synthesis.