Glycogen

Question 1

What type of cell is glycogen found?

Answer 1

Animal and bacterial

Question 2

How is glycogen stored?

Answer 2

As small granules found mainly in the muscle and liver

Question 3

Is glycogen similar in structure to starch?

Answer 3

Yes glycogen is similar in structure to starch but is more highly branched and has shorter chains

Question 4

Is glycogen soluble or insoluble?

Answer 4

Glycogen is insoluble so water potential remains unaffected

Question 5

Why can being more highly branched be good in glycogen?

Answer 5

More highly branched chains mean that there are more ends for enzymes to act on simultaneously

Question 6

How is glycogen good in relation to respiration?

Answer 6

Glycogen can be broken down rapidly into glucose molecules by hydrolysis which is needed for respiration

Question 7

Why is it important that glycogen is broken down rapidly into glucose?

Answer 7

Animals have a higher metabolic rate therefore a higher respiratory rate so glucose is in more demand during respiration