Glycogen: The Animal Body's Primary Energy Storage

The animal starch that is stored in muscle tissues and the liver is called glycogen. Glycogen is a polysaccharide, a type of carbohydrate, made up of many glucose molecules linked together. It is the primary energy storage molecule in animals and is broken down into glucose when the body requires energy. Glycogen is synthesized in the liver from glucose and stored in the liver and muscle cells. When the body needs energy, glycogen is broken down into glucose through a process called glycogenolysis. Glucose is then released into the bloodstream and used by cells throughout the body for energy production.