BIOMOLECULES AND ENZYMES

Detailed explanation-1: -Explanation: Lots of alpha-1, 4 linkages allow for longer chain lengths in carbohydrates like starch and glycogen. However, it is the amount of alpha-1, 6 linkages that determine the number of branches-since glycogen has many more alpha-1, 6 linkages than starch does, it has more branches.

Detailed explanation-2: -Glycogen branching is essential because it allows for increased water solubility and several sites to break it down; this allows for easy and quick glycogen utilization when it is broken down. Glycogen synthesis and breakdown correlate with high and low energy states, respectively.

Detailed explanation-3: -Glycogen is structurally quite similar to amylopectin, although glycogen is more highly branched (8–12 glucose units between branches) and the branches are shorter.

Detailed explanation-4: -The enzymes that build up and break down glycogen and starch act on the free ends of the polysaccharides. Having a great deal of branching ensures that plants and animals can quickly add to their energy supply when energy is plentiful, or break it down the storage molecules when energy is in short supply.