Glycogen and amylose are used for energy storage. Glycogen is found in animals. Amylose is found in plants. Describe how the structure of glycogen allows it to perform its function and explain the advantage to animals of using glycogen as an energy

First of all I'd realise that the questions is asking you to make a comparison between glycogen and amylose and their suitability, so would advise the candidate to make two separate bullet point lists for planning.Then i'd highlight how for higher marks, this question require you to link properties of the molecules to how it makes it effective at its job (link structure to function)State how glycogen contains α-glucose which is used in respiration, so it can be broken down by enzymes.Glycogen's long chains make it insoluble so it does not affect water potential Glycogen is compact so there is potential to store a large amount of energy in small volumeGlycogen is highly branched for a greater surface area meaning glucose can be removed quicklyState the feature of animal’s lifestyle that mean they require rapid energy/ATP release. For example, animals have higher metabolic rates than plants.

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Answered by Laura G. Biology tutor

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