Glycogen is classified under which saccharide group?

Prepare for the SACE Stage 2 Nutrition Exam with quizzes, detailed explanations, and flashcards to excel in the assessment. Master the syllabus and enhance your nutritional knowledge for the exam!

Glycogen is classified as a polysaccharide because it is composed of long chains of glucose units linked together through glycosidic bonds. Polysaccharides are defined as carbohydrates formed by the polymerization of multiple monosaccharides—typically containing more than ten sugar units. Glycogen serves as a significant energy storage form in animals, primarily found in the liver and muscle tissues, and can be hydrolyzed to release glucose when energy is required.

In contrast, monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates and cannot be hydrolyzed into simpler sugars. Oligosaccharides consist of 2 to 10 monosaccharide units, while disaccharides contain exactly two monosaccharide units connected by a glycosidic bond. Glycogen exceeds the structure of all these categories, aligning it clearly within the polysaccharide classification.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy