Final answer:
The branch points in glycogen are created by alpha (1→6) glycosidic linkages, which are formed by the action of a branching enzyme that enhances glycogen solubility and enzymatic accessibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bond responsible for the branch points in glycogen is the alpha (1→6) glycosidic linkages. Glycogen is a branched polysaccharide that is composed of glucose monomers.
The linear chains of glycogen are linked by alpha (1→4) glycosidic linkages, and the branching points are created via alpha (1→6) glycosidic linkages. The branching enzyme, also known as glycogen branching enzyme or glycosyl (4→6) transferase, facilitates the attachment of glucose branches to the glycogen molecule.
This branching is crucial as it increases the solubility of glycogen and provides multiple sites for enzymatic action during glycogenolysis, which is the process where glycogen is broken down to release glucose.