How does the adrenaline hormone cause the conversion of glycogen to glucose?

This can best be described as the second messenger model. Adrenaline is a hydrophillic hormone so it only acts on receptors on the cell surface membranes. The hormone fuses to the receptor site which then activates the release of an enzyme called adenyl cyclase. This enzyme helps convert ATP to cyclic AMP (cAMP).cAMP behaves as the second messenger. An increase in cAMP levels activates specific enzymes called protein kinases which then phosphorylate and active other key enzymes, such as digestive enzymes. These all work together to convert (break down) glycogen to glucose.The second messenger model is a model regularly seen throughout human biology in various processes, mostly including the use of hydrophillic hormones.

KP

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are the key stages in phagocytosis?


Why is the tertiary structure of an enzyme essential to its function?


Describe and explain how the human lungs are adapted for efficient gas exchange (3 marks)


Explain the ways in which the structure of alveoli is related to its function