What happens to amino acids during gluconeogenesis?

During gluconeogenesis, specific amino acids are converted into glucose, which plays a crucial role in maintaining blood glucose levels, especially during periods of fasting or intense exercise. When carbohydrate intake is low, the body taps into its amino acid pool to produce glucose through this metabolic pathway. This process primarily involves the transformation of glucogenic amino acids—such as alanine and glutamine—into intermediates that can subsequently be utilized in the gluconeogenic pathway to generate glucose.

This conversion is vital because it ensures that the body has a sufficient supply of glucose, which is essential for energy production, particularly for the brain and red blood cells that rely primarily on glucose for their energy needs. The synthesis of glucose from amino acids is especially important when glycogen stores are depleted, thereby allowing for a sustained energy supply.

The other options provided focus on different metabolic processes. For instance, while amino acids can be used for protein synthesis and oxidized for energy, these processes are separate from the specific action of gluconeogenesis. Similarly, storing amino acids in fatty tissues does not accurately reflect their role in gluconeogenesis, where the focus is on converting amino acids into glucose rather than storing them.