Draft 6

Glycogen degradation and glycogen synthesis have many similarities and differences. The main difference between the two is degradation is a catabolic reaction while synthesis is an anabolic reaction. Although the catabolic and anabolic reactions are normally thought of as one releasing energy the other requiring energy, Glycogen degradation and synthesis is a coupled reaction therefore the overall reaction would be releasing energy to make it favorable. Another difference is the use of different enzymes. Degradation uses the enzyme phosphorylase that breaks only the bond between an alpha 1 and 4 bond. Synthesis forms bonds with glycogenin.