Which type of carbohydrate is used for energy storage in animals?

Prepare for the SQA National 5 Biology Exam. Utilize multiple choice questions and flashcards, each offering hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Glycogen is the correct answer as it is the primary form of carbohydrate used for energy storage in animals. Glycogen is a polysaccharide that consists of long chains of glucose molecules. When energy is needed, enzymes break down glycogen into glucose, which can then be used by cells to produce energy in the form of ATP. This stored form of glucose is particularly important for maintaining blood sugar levels during periods of fasting or intense physical activity.

Starch, while also a polysaccharide made of glucose, serves as the energy storage carbohydrate in plants rather than animals. Cellulose is a structural carbohydrate found in plant cell walls and is not involved in energy storage for animals. Sucrose is a disaccharide that is used for transport rather than storage; it is the form in which sugar is commonly transported in plants but is not used for long-term energy storage in either animals or plants.

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