Glycogen
The storage polysaccharide of animals, a highly branched polymer of glucose.
Formula / equation
(C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Glycogen resembles amylopectin but branches roughly every ten units. The many chain ends allow glucose to be released from numerous points at once, which is exactly what a muscle needs during sudden exertion. Stores in liver and muscle last only about a day.
Examples in the real world
Liver glycogen maintaining blood sugar between meals; muscle glycogen fuelling sprinting.