OCR A A level biology question

tkkjj

why is it an advantage that glycogen is more soluble than starch

Reply 1

Geo Lover 7

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Original post by tkkjj

why is it an advantage that glycogen is more soluble than starch

At least one of @DerDracologe or @Trickia could probably help.

Reply 2

DerDracologe

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Original post by tkkjj

why is it an advantage that glycogen is more soluble than starch

Advantage for what exactly?

Reply 3

Geo Lover 7

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Original post by DerDracologe

Advantage for what exactly?

I think that's the question.

Reply 4

JosieKwok

Original post by tkkjj

why is it an advantage that glycogen is more soluble than starch

I think it's because it can be transported around the blood and in tissue fluid within the body

Reply 5

neptune_

glycogen is the energy storage molecule for animals, so a greater solubility will mean it can be more easily converted into glucose and dissolved into bodily fluids, such as the blood, to then be transported to where it needs to go, thus providing the cells with the energy they need. it's greater solubility means that it can support the higher metabolic rate of animal cells compared to plant cells (as starch is the storage molecule of plants) as it is more easily accessible and readily available to use. this can also be linked to glycogen being a compact and branched molecule if need be! (i believe it's something along those lines)