Question

Please answer the following two questions:

1) How can one determine the differences and similarities of the major points of regulation between glycolysis and gluconeogenesis?

2) How does folic acid deficiency affect the human body?

Answer 1

1. Differences of Glycolysis and Gluconeogenesis-

GLYCOLYSIS	GLUCONEOGENEISIS
Glycolysis involve the breakdown of Glucose into two Pyruvate molecules.	Gluconeonenesis involve the formation of Glucose molecule
Glycolysis can take place in any of the body cells ,it takes place in cell Cytoplasm	Gluconeogenesis primarily takes place in the Liver cells and some amounts in Kidney,it can take place in both mitochondria and cytoplasm
This is an Exergonic reaction	This is an Endergonic reaction
This process consist of a sequence of 10 reactions	Though it may seem,but Gluconeogenesis doesn't involve the similar opposite route of Glycolysis.Two irreversible reactions of Glycolysis are substituted by four new reactions.
Glycolysis is a Catabolic process	Gluconeogenesis is an Anabolic pathway
The rate of Glycolysis is high when the cell requires energy and low when energy is available.	Gluconeogenesis is required to supply Glucose to the rest of the body cells.

Enzyme increasing the uptake of Glucose into body cells is Insulin

Enzyme Glucagon increases the rate of Gluconeogenesis and decreases the rate of Glycolysis

In terms of similarities,both the processes involve some common reactions (as the processes are actually opposite,the forward is Glycolysis and the reverse is Gluconeogenesis).

2. Folic Acid deficiency causes-

• Fatigue due to Anemia
• Grey hair
• Sore mouth
• Swollen tongue
• Forgetfulness
• Appetite loss
• Depression
• Low growth