Which provides long-term energy storage

Subject : Biology

Question:

Which provides long-term energy storage?

a. Glycogen

b. Glucagon

c. Glucose

d. Cellulose

Expert Verified Solution:

The correct answer is a. Glycogen.

Glycogen is the primary form of long-term energy storage in animals. It is a polysaccharide stored mainly in the liver and muscles. When the body needs energy over an extended period, such as between meals or during prolonged exercise, it breaks down glycogen into glucose to meet its energy demands.

Here’s why the other options are not correct:

b. Glucagon is a hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen into glucose. It is not an energy storage molecule itself.

c. Glucose is a form of sugar that provides immediate energy but does not serve as a long-term energy storage.

d. Cellulose is a carbohydrate found in plant cell walls and is important for plant structure. While it is a form of carbohydrate, it does not function as an energy storage molecule in animals.