Which of the following enzymes is part of gluconeogenesis?

• A. Hexokinase
• B. Fructose-1,6-phosphatase
• C. Lactate dehydrogenase
• D. Glycogen synthase

Answer: (B)

Fructose-1,6-phosphatase is a crucial enzyme in the gluconeogenesis pathway, which is essential for the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate to fructose-6-phosphate, acting in the reverse direction of a key step in glycolysis, where phosphofructokinase converts fructose-6-phosphate to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate and is a point of regulation in the gluconeogenesis process.

In gluconeogenesis, the overall pathway requires specific enzymes that bypass the irreversible steps of glycolysis, and fructose-1,6-phosphatase is one of these key enzymes allowing the organism to effectively convert pyruvate into glucose, particularly under fasting conditions or in the liver.