glycogen

American  

[glahy-kuh-juhn, -jen] / ˈglaɪ kə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a white, tasteless polysaccharide, (C 6 H 10 O5 ) 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.

---

glycogen British  

/ -dʒɛn, ˈɡlaɪkəʊdʒən, ˌɡlaɪkəʊˈdʒɛnɪk /

noun

1. Also called: animal starch.  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 glucose

---

glycogen Scientific  

/ 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.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• glycogenic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of glycogen

First recorded in 1855–60; glyco- + -gen

Compare meaning

How does glycogen compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• glycogen vs. glucose
• cellulose vs. glycogen

Example Sentences

Glycogen, which is a multi-branched polysaccharide of glucose, is the compound.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Glycogen is made and stored in both liver and muscle.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Glycogen is broken down into glucose when glucose levels are low or when needed for muscle contraction.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2018

Glycogen is made and stored in the liver and muscle.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Glycogen, the sugary substance produced by the liver, occurs abundantly in all the muscles of the body, and it was evident that muscular movement leads to its consumption and the consequent production of heat.

From Makers of Modern Medicine by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Related Words

• cellulose
• glucose
• lactose
• starch
• sugar