Question

Why do cells make glycogen if they will then break it done when they need the glucose molecules that make glycogen? What advantage does a cell gain by storing glucose in the form of glycogen instead of storing glucose as individual glucose molecues?

Answer 1

Glycogen is the analogue of Starch,a glucose polymer that functions as energy storage in plants.In animals and human Glycogen is stored in the cells of the liver and skeletal muscle.The amount of glycogen stored in the body particularly within the muscles and liver.its depend on the exercise,BMR(Basal metabolic rate)and eating habits.The small amount of glycogen are also found in other tissue and cells like kidney,RBC,WBC and glial cells in the brain.Uterus also stores glycogen during pregnancy to nourish the embryo.4 grams of glucose are present in the blood of humans at all times.During fasting blood glucose level is constant at the expense of glycogen store in liver and skeletal muscles.Whenever,the breakdown of glycogen molecule will increase,the amount of glucose will increase in the blood.Excessive glucose in blood is harmful for body it cause disease called Diabetes.Glycogen is insoluble,will not disturb the osmotic pressure rather than glucose.Glucose is soluble in water,if it is stored in muscle instead of glycogen it will disturb the osmotic pressure.It is hypertonic will cause the cell to lyse.