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Exit Preview Understanding Glycogen: The Animal Storage Polysaccharide O Author: Tii Ta Created with Pi.
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Exit Preview 1. What is Glycogen? Glycogen is a large, complex carbohydrate known as a polysaccharide. In AS Level Biology, we learn that polysaccharides are polymers made of many monosaccharide monomers joined together. Specifically, glycogen is the primary storage form of glucose in animals and fungi. You can think of it as the "animal version" of starch. It is mostly found in our liver and muscle cells, where it can be quickly broken down when we need energy..
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Exit Preview The Building Blocks: a-glucose Glycogen is made entirely of a-glucose molecules. The Monomer: Glucose is a hexose sugar (C6H1206). In the form, the hydroxyl (-0H) group on Carbon-I is positioned below the ring. The Bond: These glucose units are linked by glycosidic bonds formed through condensation reactions (where a water molecule is removed)..
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2. Molecular Structure The structure of glycogen is very similar to amylopectin (a component of starch), but it is much more highly branched. It features two types of links: cx-1,4-glycosidic bonds These create long, straight chains of glucose. cx-1,6-glycosidic bonds These occur every 8 to 12 glucose units, creating a "branch" that sticks out from the main chain. Because it is so branched, the molecule is very compact and looks like a tiny bush or a "granule" when viewed under a microscope..
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3. Why is Glycogen a Great Storage Molecule? For our exams, we need to explain how the structure of glycogen relates to its function. There are four main reasons why it works so well: It is Insoluble Unlike glucose, glycogen does not dissolve in water. This is vital because it means it has no osmotic effect on the cell. If we stored energy as pure glucose, water would rush into our cells by osmosis and cause them to burst. It is Compact Because it is so highly branched, a massive amount of energy (glucose) can be packed into a very small space within the liver or muscles. Rapid Hydrolysis The many "encls" created by the branches mean that enzymes (like glycogen phosphorylase) can work on lilany parts of the molecule at the same time. This allows glucose to be released very quickly for respiration when we are exercising or when our blood sugar is low. Large Molecule It is too big to diffuse out of the cell, so it stays exactly where it is needed..
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4. Summary Table for Revision Feature Monomer Bonds Shape Solubility Location Description a-glucose ex-1,4 and a-1,6 glycosidic bonds Highly branched and compact Insoluble (no osmotic effect) Liver and Muscle cells.