Final answer:
When the liver can't synthesize glycogen but can uptake glucose, it indicates a problem with insulin production or function, which could be linked to the pancreatic beta cells. Insulin is necessary for the liver to convert glucose into glycogen. A deficiency in insulin or problems in its signaling pathway could cause this condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the liver is unable to synthesize glycogen but is still able to uptake glucose, this could be attributed to a problem in pancreatic alpha cells or beta cells. Normally, when blood glucose levels are high, the pancreas secretes insulin to stimulate the uptake of glucose and its conversion into glycogen, which is stored in the liver. On the other hand, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon, which inhibits glucose uptake by the liver and stimulates the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose, or to synthesize glucose through gluconeogenesis.
The inability of the liver to synthesize glycogen suggests that there is sufficient glucose uptake but impairment in the glycogenesis pathway, for which insulin is crucial. Thus, this condition could be due to a deficiency in insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells, or a defect in the insulin signaling pathway within the liver. Without insulin, the liver may fail to convert glucose into glycogen. However, gluconeogenesis would be unaffected, as it is more related to glucagon action and occurs when glycogen stores are depleted and blood glucose levels are low.