Why is glucose stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle?

[MinaGhobrial]

Homework Statement

Why does the human body spend two high energy phosphate bonds to store glucose as glycogen in muscle and liver, and not just as glucose? What is the advantage in using energy to polymerize the glucose molecule?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Why is glucose stored as glycogen in muscle and liver, and not just as glucose?

Below are some theories I proposed please correct me if I am wrong.

Glycogen is insoluble thus, storing it as glycogen will not upset the osmotic pressure rather than glucose which is soluble in water and if it is stored as glucose it will disturb the osmotic pressure(hypertonic) that will cause the cell to lyse.

Glycogen is a polymerized form of sugar with alpha 1,4 and alpha 1,6 that enables that can be degraded efficiently rather than free floating glucose. with that in mind wouldn't it be as efficient if glucose is stored in the liver and shipped to the desired destination if it is possible to store it in the cell without disturbing the osmotic pressure?

Glucose is unstable and forms a ring which maturate with a predominance of beta anomers which is favored structure but also, the cell would have a alpha glucose that is unable to undergo glycolysis and it wouldn't be accessible when it is needed for breakdown.

 

[SasQuach]

Homework Statement

Why does the human body spend two high energy phosphate bonds to store glucose as glycogen in muscle and liver, and not just as glucose? What is the advantage in using energy to polymerize the glucose molecule?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Why is glucose stored as glycogen in muscle and liver, and not just as glucose?

Below are some theories I proposed please correct me if I am wrong.

Glycogen is insoluble thus, storing it as glycogen will not upset the osmotic pressure rather than glucose which is soluble in water and if it is stored as glucose it will disturb the osmotic pressure(hypertonic) that will cause the cell to lyse.

This is the primary reason.

Glycogen is a polymerized form of sugar with alpha 1,4 and alpha 1,6 that enables that can be degraded efficiently rather than free floating glucose. with that in mind wouldn't it be as efficient if glucose is stored in the liver and shipped to the desired destination if it is possible to store it in the cell without disturbing the osmotic pressure?

Glucose is unstable and forms a ring which maturate with a predominance of beta anomers which is favored structure but also, the cell would have an alpha glucose that is unable to undergo glycolysis and it wouldn't be accessible when it is needed for breakdown.

Unstable is a relative term but Glucose is pretty damn stable. You can store glucose for years on your shelf without any degradation.