Question

Glucogenic vs. Ketogenic Amino Acids)

Answer 1

Glucogenic amino acids can form glucose through the glucogenesis pathway, while ketogenic amino acids degrade to acetyl-CoA or acetoacetic acid. Lysine and leucine are ketogenic amino acids. Some amino acids can produce both glucogenic and ketogenic intermediates.

Step-by-step explanation:

Amino acids that can degrade to pyruvate or oxaloacetate are called glucogenic because these products can form glucose through the glucogenesis pathway. For example, alanine yields pyruvate, and aspartate yields oxaloacetate. Amino acids that degrade to acetyl-CoA or acetoacetic acid, which can not form glucose but can be converted into ketone bodies, are called ketogenic. Lysine and leucine are ketogenic amino acids. Some amino acids can produce both glucogenic and ketogenic intermediates.