Brianna Laplante

Glycogen is a polysaccharide of glucose, which functions as the primary short term energy storage in animal cells.  It is made primarily by the liver and the muscles.  Glycogen is found in the form of granules in the cytosol in many cell types, and plays an important role in the glucose cycle.  Glycogen forms an energy reserve that can be quickly be mobilized to meet a sudden need for glucose.  In the liver hepatocytes, glycogen can account for up to 8% of the fresh weight after a meal.  Only the glycogen that is stored in the liver can be used by other organs.  Glycogen is found in muscles at a much lower concentration.  Small amounts of glycogen are found in the kidneys, and even smaller amounts are found in certain glial cells in the brain and white blood cells.  The uterus stores glycogen during pregnancy to nourish the embryo.  Glycogen is broken down when ATP is needed by muscle cells or when blood glucose levels drop too low.  Glycogen synthesis and breakdown is under hormonal control. 

We get glycogen from carbohydrates, natural sugars (fruits, veggies, milk), and complex carbs (grains, cereal, pasta).   

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