Biology / Unit 12 Bio 2805 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Glycogen Reserves Buffer Short-Term Fasting
Captions available
The idea
Stored liver and muscle glycogen, per Bio 2797, releases glucose during a missed meal, buffering blood sugar for hours before true energy shortage sets in.
In practice
Glucagon triggers glycogen breakdown as blood glucose starts to fall between meals.
Where people slip
"Skipping a meal starves the body immediately," per Bio 2803, ignores that this reserve exists specifically to prevent that outcome in the short term.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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