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Liver tissue contains a carbohydrate polymer called ______ that serves as energy storage.

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Final answer:

Liver tissue contains a carbohydrate polymer called glycogen, which serves as a primary form of energy storage in animals, especially in the liver and muscles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Liver tissue contains a carbohydrate polymer called glycogen that serves as energy storage. Glycogen is the energy reserve carbohydrate of animals, found predominantly in the liver and skeletal muscle cells. This polysaccharide is made up of glucose monomers and is highly branched, allowing for rapid mobilization when glucose is needed.

In humans, glycogen plays a vital role in keeping the body's energy levels stable between meals. The liver can break down glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Similarly, during periods of increased energy demand, such as exercise, muscle glycogen can be quickly converted to glucose for muscle use. This energy storage method is essential for our metabolic balance and is comparable to starch which serves a similar function in plants.

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