Glycogenolysis

Glycogenolysis is the biochemical breakdown of glycogen to glucose, it takes place in the cells of muscle and liver tissues in response to hormonal and neural signals.

In liver cells the main purpose of the breakdown of glycogen is for the release of glucose into the bloodstream for uptake by other cells. In muscle cells, glycogenolysis serves to provide an immediate source of glucose-6-phosphate for glycolysis to provide energy for muscle contraction but not for other body tissues.