Structure of Glycogen

Notes

Glycogen is a:

• Homopolymer (polymer of glucose)

• ɑ-D-glucose [See the previous exam guide to review]

• Glycogen is highly branched (8-12 molecules of glucose between each branch)

• Linear Chains: ɑ-1,4 glycosidic bonds

• Branching Points: ɑ-1,6 glycosidic bonds

• 30000 glucose per glycogen

• Glycogenin molecule at the center

Why does glycogen branch?

• Increased solubility

• More surface area for the enzymes to act (remember, the enzymes can only work on the glucose molecules at the END of a chain)

• Rapid synthesis and breakdown

Where is it found?

Liver: Has more glycogen than a single muscle cell. 

Muscle: Has more total glycogen in all of the muscle cells than the liver.