Glycogen is the storage polysaccharide of which organisms?

Glycogen is the storage polysaccharide of which organisms?

• A. Animals
• B. Plants
• C. Fungi
• D. Bacteria

Answer: (A)

Glycogen is the storage form of glucose used by animals to supply quick energy. Its highly branched structure allows rapid release of glucose when the body needs a fast boost, which fits the energy needs of animal tissues like liver and muscle. In plants, the storage carbohydrate is starch, not glycogen, so that choice doesn’t fit the common pattern taught in nutrition. Fungi also use glycogen for storage, but the ones most typically highlighted in basic nutrition are animals, making glycogen the best match for the organisms in question.

Glycogen is the storage form of glucose used by animals to supply quick energy. Its highly branched structure allows rapid release of glucose when the body needs a fast boost, which fits the energy needs of animal tissues like liver and muscle. In plants, the storage carbohydrate is starch, not glycogen, so that choice doesn’t fit the common pattern taught in nutrition. Fungi also use glycogen for storage, but the ones most typically highlighted in basic nutrition are animals, making glycogen the best match for the organisms in question.