Answer:
a. Serine is converted to pyruvate. It is glucogenic.
b. Aspartate is converted citric acid cycle intermediates. It is glucogenic.
c. Leucine is converted to AcetylCoA. It is ketogenic.
Explanation:
The degradation of amino acids usually account for a significant amount of energy production by the human body. The carbon skeletons of amino acids after deamination are either channelled to gluconeogenesis, ketogenesis or are completely oxidized to carbon dioxide and water.
The amino acids that are channelled to gluconeogenesis are said to be glucogenic. The glucogenic amino acids are those that are either degraded to ∝-ketoglutarate, succinylCoA, fumarate or oxaloacetate which are citric acid cycle intermediates that can be converted to glucose and glycogen. Also, amino acids that are degraded to pyruvate are glucogenic as pyruvate can be converted to glucose via oxaloacetate. Examples of these amino acids are serine which is converted to pyruvate and aspartate which is converted to the citric acid cycle intermediate, oxaloacetate.
On the other hand, amino acids that are channelled to ketogenesis are said to be ketogenic. The ketogenic amino acids are degraded to either acetylCoA or acetoacetylCoA. AcetylCoA and acetoacetylCoA are used in the formation of key one bodies. An example of a ketogenic amino acid is leucine which is converted both to AcetylCoA and acetoacetylCoA.
