Question

In humans, glycogen is a more useful food storage molecule than fat because?

1) Glycogen provides quick and readily available energy.
2) Glycogen is more efficient in storing energy.
3) Glycogen is easier to break down and utilize.
4) Glycogen is more abundant in the body.

Answer 1

Glycogen is crucial for providing quick energy due to its easy and rapid breakdown compared to fat, which is a more densely packed energy source but slower to mobilize.

Step-by-step explanation:

In humans, glycogen provides a quick and readily available source of energy when compared to fats, primarily because glycogen is easier to break down and utilize. It is stored in the liver and muscle cells and is broken down into glucose to maintain blood glucose levels through a process called glycogenolysis.

Fat is more efficient in terms of energy storage because it contains more than twice the energy per gram as carbohydrates like glycogen. However, fats are not as rapidly mobilized as glycogen, making them a less efficient source of energy for immediate needs. Glycogen, therefore, is critical for situations where quick bursts of energy are necessary, such as sports or suddenly strenuous activities.

It's worth noting that glycogen is not more abundant than fat in the human body; rather, it serves a different purpose. Glycogen acts as a ready-to-use energy reserve for sudden energy demands, while fat acts as a long-term energy storage.