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glycogen
noun
gly·co·gen
ˈglī-kə-jən
: a white amorphous tasteless polysaccharide (C6H10O5)x that is the principal form in which glucose is stored in animal tissues and especially muscle and liver tissue
Examples of glycogen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Your muscles will have enough glycogen to power you through.
—Laurel Leicht, Health, 1 June 2024
The condition, called glycogen disease type 1A, is caused by a genetic mutation that prevents patients from maintaining blood sugar levels.
—Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 31 May 2024
Your body breaks down glycogen in your liver within the first 24 hours of fasting.
—Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 24 Mar. 2024
The body's glycogen stores are a form of glucose stored in one's muscles and liver tissue that the body uses after more readily available glucose has been depleted during exercise.
—USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024
When glycogen is gone, attention is turned to breaking down your muscles to supply glucose for your brain.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 4 Jan. 2024
The body can then tap into glycogen stores and break down larger carbohydrate molecules into usable glucose that muscles and other tissues of the body need energy during exercise.
—Amber Sayer, Health, 26 Oct. 2023
Normally, when the body has finished digesting and is entering a fasting state, a molecule known as glucagon gets released, this then stimulates the liver to take the glycogen and turn it into usable glucose through a process known as gluconeogenesis.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2023
Unfortunately, this approach can backfire, leading athletes to race depleted and without enough glycogen to power a PR.
—Kylee Van Horn and Allison Knott, Outside Online, 26 Oct. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glycogen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1864, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near glycogen
Cite this Entry
“Glycogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycogen. Accessed 19 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
glycogen
noun
gly·co·gen
ˈglī-kə-jən
: a white tasteless substance that is the chief form in which glucose is stored in animals
Medical Definition
glycogen
noun
gly·co·gen
ˈglī-kə-jən
: a white amorphous tasteless polysaccharide (C6H10O5)x that constitutes the principal form in which glucose is stored in animal tissues, occurs especially in the liver and in muscle and also in fungi and yeasts, and resembles starch in molecular structure and in the formation of only glucose on complete hydrolysis
called also animal starch
More from Merriam-Webster on glycogen
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glycogen
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