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[Biochemistry](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/) · Molecule

# Glycogen

Glycogen is the body's glucose store: a highly branched polymer kept in liver and muscle.

Updated 2026-11-01

Loading the 3D model…

## Key facts

- Glucose chains with α-1,4 bonds and α-1,6 branches every 8–12 residues, around a primer protein, glycogenin.
- Liver: up to about 10 % of its weight, for blood glucose. Muscle: 1–2 % of its weight but more in total, for its own use only.
- The many branches give many non-reducing ends: it is built and broken down quickly.

**Formula**
(C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

**PubChem**
[CID 439177](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/439177)

## Structure

- The 3D model (PubChem 439177) is a four-glucose fragment showing both bond types; the real molecule has up to tens of thousands of glucose units.
- It is more branched than plant starch amylopectin.

## Clinical notes

- Glycogen storage diseases are inherited defects of its synthesis or breakdown; the amount or shape of glycogen is altered in liver, muscle or both.
- PAS staining shows it in liver or muscle biopsy.

## Pathways

- [Glycogen metabolism](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/pathways/glycogen-metabolism/)

## Related conditions

- [Von Gierke disease (glycogen storage disease type I)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/von-gierke-disease/)
- [Pompe disease (glycogen storage disease type II)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/pompe-disease/)
- [Cori disease (glycogen storage disease type III)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cori-disease/)
- [Andersen disease (glycogen storage disease type IV)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/andersen-disease/)
- [McArdle disease (glycogen storage disease type V)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/mcardle-disease/)
- [Hers disease (glycogen storage disease type VI)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hers-disease/)

## Related

- [Glucose](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/glucose/)
- [UDP-glucose](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/udp-glucose/)
- [Glycogen synthase](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/glycogen-synthase/)
- [Glycogen phosphorylase](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/glycogen-phosphorylase/)
- [Glycogen debranching enzyme](https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/enzymes/glycogen-debranching-enzyme/)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which bonds does glycogen contain?

α-1,4 in the chains and α-1,6 at the branch points.

## Why is it useful for glycogen to be so branched?

Each branch is an end where enzymes work at once: glucose is stored and released quickly.

## Which protein starts each glycogen molecule?

Glycogenin, which attaches the first glucose units to itself.

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Molecules are shown in their neutral form, as the databases deposit them; in the cell the acids and phosphates are ionised.

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [Glycogen (CID 439177)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/439177) (PubChem, NCBI, 2026) · Public domain; [Glycogen synthesis](https://reactome.org/PathwayBrowser/#/R-HSA-3322077) (Reactome, 2026); Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students, 6th ed. (Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (Vasudevan DM, Sreekumari S, Vaidyanathan K), 2011).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/glycogen/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/biochemistry/molecules/glycogen/