What is the role of adrenaline in glucoregulation?

Although a lot of the time this can seem like a daunting question as there's a lot of specific terminology to use and a variety of reactions/interactions occurring, by splitting it up into short, simple steps this question can easily become your friend!1) Adrenaline binds to protein receptor on the cell surface membrane of a liver cell2) Part of the receptor on the inside of the cell changes shape3) This activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase 4) Adenylate cyclase converts ATP to cAMP (cyclic AMP)5) cAMP is the second messenger6)cAMP binds to protein kinase enzymes and changes their shape (activates them)7) Activated protein kinase enzymes convert glycogen to glucose (glycogenolysis)8) Glucose moves out of the cell by facilitated diffusion and into the blood streamI have highlighted what I would consider key words to emphasise the bits that will really get you marks- remember the mark schemes at A-level are very specific so just having certain words can get you those extra marks. This type of answer could also be used in an essay on paper 3 (e.g. one referring to interactions, response to changes etc)

EC
Answered by Ellie C. Biology tutor

2813 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis


Explain the role of T-cells in immune response to viral infection


What are the possible effects of complete kidney failure on the blood?


(Substrate) is hydrolysed by (Enzyme). Explain why (Enzyme) catalyses only this reaction. (3 Marks)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning