Question

How is gluconeogenesis related to glycolysis?

Answer 1

Glycolysis is the process by which glucose is converted to pyruvate. Gluconeogenesis is the process by which glucose is produced.

Complete answer:
Glucose is an important and common fuel for almost all organisms. In the process of glycolysis one molecule of glucose is converted into two molecules of pyruvate. Along with it two hydrogen ions and two molecules of water are released. Glucose being a 6 carbon sugar is reduced to pyruvate which is 3 carbon molecules. By this process free energy is released which is used to form ATP and NADH. Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol of cells. Glycolysis is a catabolic process of metabolism.

Gluconeogenesis is the metabolic process by which organisms produce sugars (glucose) using non-carbohydrate sources. The process that converts pyruvate into glucose is called gluconeogenesis. Another way organisms derive glucose is from sources like glycogen and starch. Gluconeogenesis occurs in the cytosol of cells. Gluconeogenesis is an anabolic process of metabolism.

Gluconeogenesis can be considered to be antagonist of the process of glycolysis.They have some of the same enzymes. The body has to maintain blood glucose concentrations at all times. Both processes make use of ATP and water. When blood glucose levels fall, glycogen stores in the liver are converted to glucose. When glycogen is depleted, the body uses gluconeogenesis as an alternate energy source. The main source material for gluconeogenesis is the breakdown of proteins to amino acids.

Note: Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis are important processes which have both similarities and dissimilarities.
Similarity: Both use ATP and water and both the pathways have pyruvate, but in gluconeogenesis pyruvate is the main entry point and in glycolysis it is the primary product
Dissimilarity: Glycolysis uses glucose whereas gluconeogenesis produces new glucose