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Glycogen

(Science: biochemistry) Branched polymer of D glucose (mostly _(1-4) linked, but some _(1-6) at branch points).

size range very variable, up to 10exp5 glucose units. Major short term storage polymer of animal cells and is particularly abundant in the liver and to a lesser extent in muscle. In the electron microscope glycogen has a characteristic asterisk or star appearance. One form in which body fuel is stored; stored primarily in the liver and broken down into glucose when needed by the body.Derived from glucose, this carbohydrate is the stored form of energy in organisms, which can be converted back to glucose when required. Glycogen can be broken down into glucose with glucagon while insulin converts glucose to glycogen.