Question:
The insulin to glucagon ratio is decreased. Which enzyme is active at this time?
The insulin to glucagon ratio is decreased. Which enzyme is active at this time?
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Low insulin to glucagon means fasting; pick the enzyme that frees glucose for export.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Glucokinase
- Hexokinase
- Phosphofructokinase
- Glucose-6-phosphatase
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: A low insulin to glucagon ratio signals the fasting state. The body must release glucose, so it ramps up glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and shuts down glucose uptake and glycolysis.
Step 2: Among the options, glucose-6-phosphatase is the gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic enzyme. It removes the phosphate from glucose-6-phosphate so free glucose can leave the liver into the blood. It is active in fasting, so option (d) is correct.
Step 3: The other three are glycolytic and favored by a high insulin (fed) state: glucokinase and hexokinase trap glucose as glucose-6-phosphate, and phosphofructokinase-1 is the committed, rate-limiting step of glycolysis. Low insulin to glucagon ratio inhibits these.
Ref: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, Gluconeogenesis.
Step 2: Among the options, glucose-6-phosphatase is the gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic enzyme. It removes the phosphate from glucose-6-phosphate so free glucose can leave the liver into the blood. It is active in fasting, so option (d) is correct.
Step 3: The other three are glycolytic and favored by a high insulin (fed) state: glucokinase and hexokinase trap glucose as glucose-6-phosphate, and phosphofructokinase-1 is the committed, rate-limiting step of glycolysis. Low insulin to glucagon ratio inhibits these.
Ref: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, Gluconeogenesis.
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