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glycogen

[glahy-kuh-juh n, -jen]
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noun Biochemistry.
  1. a white, tasteless polysaccharide, (C6H10O5)n, molecularly similar to starch, constituting the principal carbohydrate storage material in animals and occurring chiefly in the liver, in muscle, and in fungi and yeasts.
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Origin of glycogen

First recorded in 1855–60; glyco- + -gen
Also called animal starch.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for glycogen

Historical Examples

  • It may also be used for the recognition of glycogen in secretions.

    Histology of the Blood

    Paul Ehrlich

  • How glycogen is transformed into sugar within the organism is unknown.

  • There is a limit to the ability of the liver to change sugar into glycogen.

    Physiology

    Ernest G. Martin

  • Maltose is absorbed and assimilated, converted into glycogen.

  • Thus we have animal starch, or glycogen, stored up in the liver.

    A Practical Physiology

    Albert F. Blaisdell

British Dictionary definitions for glycogen

glycogen

noun
  1. a polysaccharide consisting of glucose units: the form in which carbohydrate is stored in the liver and muscles in man and animals. It can easily be hydrolysed to glucoseAlso called: animal starch
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Derived Formsglycogenic (ˌɡlaɪkəʊˈdʒɛnɪk), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for glycogen

n.

starch-like substance found in the liver and animal tissue, 1860, from French glycogène, "sugar-producer," from Greek glykys "sweet" (see glucose) + French -gène (see -gen). Coined in 1848 by French physiologist Claude Bernard (1813-1878).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
glycogen in Medicine

glycogen

(glī′kə-jən)
n.
  1. A polysaccharide that is the main form of carbohydrate storage in animals and occurs mainly in liver and muscle tissue; it is readily converted to glucose.animal starch
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Related formsgly′co•gen′ic (-jĕn′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
glycogen in Science

glycogen

[glī′kə-jən]
  1. A polysaccharide stored in animal liver and muscle cells that is easily converted to glucose to meet metabolic energy requirements. Most of the carbohydrate energy stored in animal cells is in the form of glycogen.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.