Glycogen: meaning, definitions and examples
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glycogen
[ ˈɡlaɪ.kə.dʒən ]
biochemistry, metabolism
Glycogen is a multi-branched polysaccharide that serves as a form of energy storage in animals and fungi. It is primarily stored in the liver and muscle cells, and is composed of glucose units linked together. When energy is needed, glycogen is broken down into glucose through a process called glycogenolysis.
Synonyms
animal starch, glycogenin
Examples of usage
- The body converts excess glucose into glycogen.
- During intense exercise, your body relies on glycogen stores for energy.
- Glycogen is critical for athletic performance in endurance sports.
Translations
Translations of the word "glycogen" in other languages:
🇵🇹 glicogênio
🇮🇳 ग्लाइकोजन
🇩🇪 Glykogen
🇮🇩 glikogen
🇺🇦 глікоген
🇵🇱 glikogen
🇯🇵 グリコーゲン
🇫🇷 glycogène
🇪🇸 glucógeno
🇹🇷 glikojen
🇰🇷 글리코겐
🇸🇦 الجليكوجين
🇨🇿 glykogen
🇸🇰 glykogén
🇨🇳 糖原
🇸🇮 glikogen
🇮🇸 glýkógen
🇰🇿 гликоген
🇬🇪 გლიკოგენი
🇦🇿 qlikogen
🇲🇽 glucógeno
Word origin
The word 'glycogen' comes from the French term 'glycogène', coined in the mid-19th century. The prefix 'glyco-' is derived from the Greek word 'glykys', meaning 'sweet', reflecting its relationship with glucose. The suffix '-gen' refers to 'to produce' or 'to generate'. The recognition of glycogen's structure and its vital role in metabolism evolved alongside advances in chemistry and physiology. It was first identified as a form of carbohydrate in the 1850s by scientists studying animal tissues. Glycogen storage diseases have since been studied extensively, revealing the importance of glycogen in maintaining energy homeostasis in the body.