Glycogen

• What is glycogen made from?

  a-glucose
• How is glycogen it different to starch?

  The α chains tend to be shorter and have more branches.
• Where is glycogen found, and whats its function?


  In animals, it is the main energy storage molecule.
• Describe its structure.

  It’s formed from many molecules of alpha glucose joined together by 1, 4 and 1, 6 glycosidic bonds.
• How is it suited to its function?

  Side branches- large number of side branches meaning that energy can be released quickly as enzymes can act simultaneously on these branches.
• How else is it suited?

  It is a relatively large but compact molecule thus maximising the amount of energy it can store.
• How else is it suited?

  Insoluble means it will not affect the water potential of cells and cannot diffuse out of cells.