Glucose metabolic processes

Insulin appears to activate a process that helps glucose molecules enter the cells of striated muscle and adipose tissue Figure 49-1 depicts normal glucose metabolism. Insulin also stimulates die synthesis of glycogen by die liver. In addition, insulin promotes protein syntiiesis and helps the body store fat by preventing its breakdown for energy. 

Fats such as palmitic acid are metabolized through pathways similar to the ones for the oxidation of glucose. The complete oxidation of palmitic acid has a standard free energy change of-9790 kJ/mol and produces 130 ATP molecules per molecule of palmitic acid consumed. You should be able to verily that this metabolic process has about the same efficiency as the oxidation of glucose. 

During the recovery period from exercise, ATP (newly produced by way of oxidative phosphorylation) is needed to replace the creatine phosphate reserves — a process that may be completed within a few minutes. Next, the lactic acid produced during glycolysis must be metabolized. In the muscle, lactic acid is converted into pyruvic acid, some of which is then used as a substrate in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway to produce ATP. The remainder of the pyruvic acid is converted into glucose in the liver that is then stored in the form of glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles. These later metabolic processes require several hours for completion. 

A major function of hGH is the promotion of anabolic activity, that is, bone and tissue growth due to increase in metabolic processes. Other biological effects of hGH are stimulation of protein synthesis, elevation of blood glucose level, and improvement of liver function. 

---