Answer
The post absorptive stage is the period about four hours after the last meal. The processes that operate to elevate blood glucose in that period include lipolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glycogenolysis. Lipolysis takes place in hepatocytes and fat cells; gluconeogenesis is carried out in hepatocytes; hepatocytes also catabolize glycogen (glycogenolysis)
Work Step by Step
In the liver, hepatocytes break down glycogen to produce glucose. This is the main source of glucose in the post-absorptive state. Skeletal muscle fibers can supply amino acids from breakdown of proteins; they can also produce lactic acid from the breakdown of glycogen--during exercise. Hepatocytes can produce glycogen from amino acids, and from lactic acid.
Lipolysis is the hydrolytic decomposition of triglycerides to produce glycerol; glycerol is used to generate glucose in hepatocytes.
