Which process involves the breakdown of glycogen to release glucose?

The process that involves the breakdown of glycogen to release glucose is known as glycogenolysis. This process occurs primarily in the liver and muscle cells and is crucial for maintaining blood glucose levels during fasting or intense physical activity.

During glycogenolysis, glycogen, which is a stored form of glucose, is hydrolyzed into glucose-1-phosphate and then converted to glucose-6-phosphate. This conversion can further allow glucose to enter glycolysis or be released into the bloodstream as free glucose, thus playing an essential role in energy metabolism.

Glycogenesis, in contrast, refers to the synthesis of glycogen from glucose, while gluconeogenesis is the metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors. Photosynthesis is a process that involves converting light energy into chemical energy in plants and does not pertain to the breakdown of glycogen. Therefore, glycogenolysis is the correct term for the breakdown of glycogen to release glucose.