What is the end product of glycogenolysis?

The end product of glycogenolysis is glucose-6-phosphate. This process involves the breakdown of glycogen into glucose units, which occurs primarily in the liver and muscle cells. During glycogenolysis, glycogen is phosphorylated, resulting in the release of glucose-1-phosphate. This molecule can then be converted into glucose-6-phosphate by the action of the enzyme phosphoglucomutase.

Glucose-6-phosphate plays a pivotal role in metabolic pathways. In the liver, it can be dephosphorylated to release free glucose into the bloodstream, which is essential for maintaining blood glucose levels. In muscle cells, glucose-6-phosphate enters glycolysis to produce energy for muscle contraction.

While free glucose is also a product of glycogen breakdown, it is not the direct end product during the initial step of glycogenolysis; instead, glucose-6-phosphate is produced first. Therefore, glucose-6-phosphate represents a key intermediate that links glycogen metabolism to energy production and glucose homeostasis.