Question:

What is glycogen ? How is it different from starch?

Updated On: Sep 27, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

Glycogen is a carbohydrate (polysaccharide). In animals, carbohydrates are stored as glycogen. 

Starch is a carbohydrate consisting of two components - amylose (15 - 20%) and amylopectin (80 - 85%). 

However, glycogen consists of only one component whose structure is similar to amylopectin. Also, glycogen is more branched than amylopectin.

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Concepts Used:

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are the most abundant hydrocarbons that exist in our food. They are long chains of hydrocarbons inclusive of smaller units called monosaccharides or monomers, related to each other through glycosidic linkages. Cellulose, starch, chitin, and glycogen are the most common polysaccharides found in food.

Characteristics of Polysaccharides:

  • Desiccation does not cause Polysaccharides to structure crystals.
  • They do not have a candied flavor. 
  • Water cannot infiltrate the molecules due to the numerous hydrogen bonds, making them hydrophobic.
  • They are osmotically inactive and close-packed inside the cells. Many are water-insoluble.
  • They are collections of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. 2:1 is the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen.
  • They are carbohydrates with a molecular weight comparatively more excessive than other compounds. It is also possible to extract a white powder out of it.

Types of Polysaccharides:

  1. Homopolysaccharides
  2. Heteropolysaccharides