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  • Carbohydrate Storage in Cells: Glycogen & Starch Explained
    Carbohydrates are stored in cells in two main forms:

    1. Glycogen:

    * This is the primary storage form of carbohydrates in animals, including humans.

    * It's a highly branched polymer of glucose molecules.

    * Stored mainly in the liver and muscles:

    * Liver: Glycogen stored in the liver can be released into the bloodstream as glucose to maintain blood sugar levels between meals.

    * Muscles: Muscle glycogen provides energy directly to the muscles during physical activity.

    2. Starch:

    * This is the primary storage form of carbohydrates in plants.

    * It's also a polymer of glucose but is less branched than glycogen.

    * Stored in plant cells, especially in seeds, tubers, and roots: These are the parts of the plant that serve as energy reserves.

    Other forms of carbohydrate storage:

    * Small amounts of glucose: Some glucose can be stored in the cytoplasm of cells in a dissolved form, but this is a very small amount compared to glycogen or starch.

    It's important to note that the way carbohydrates are stored varies depending on the type of cell and the organism.

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