During prolonged fasting, the liver maintains blood glucose levels through gluconeogenesis. Which of the following is a primary substrate used by the liver for this process?
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Correct answer: Amino acids such as alanine
Gluconeogenesis is the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources like lactate, glycerol, and glucogenic amino acids. While glycogen provides glucose via glycogenolysis, it is not a substrate for gluconeogenesis itself.
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