The storage form of carbohydrates in animals is& x20; - RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

Explanation

Glycogen is the primary long-term storage form of carbohydrates in animal cells, functioning as an energy reserve.
It is a large, multibranched polysaccharide composed of glucose units, often called 'animal starch'.
The main storage sites are the liver, where it regulates blood glucose levels, and skeletal muscles, where it provides a quick source of energy for muscle activity.

Option A: Starch is the energy storage polysaccharide for plants, not animals. It is found in foods like potatoes, rice, and wheat.
Option C: Glucose is a monosaccharide and the immediate source of energy for cellular respiration. It is the building block for glycogen, not the storage form itself.
Option D: Heparin is a complex carbohydrate (a glycosaminoglycan) whose function is to act as an anticoagulant (blood thinner). It is not involved in energy metabolism or storage.

Visual 1: Diagram: Structure of Glycogen vs. Starch. This visual would highlight the more extensive branching in glycogen, explaining its suitability for rapid glucose mobilization in animals.
Visual 2: Illustration: Glycogen storage in the body. A simple diagram showing the liver and muscle tissues as the primary sites for glycogen deposition.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Carbohydrate storage in animals as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding glycogen is crucial for managing diabetes, as the liver's ability to store and release glucose from glycogen directly impacts blood sugar control.
Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are genetic disorders where the body cannot properly store or break down glycogen, leading to issues like hypoglycemia, muscle weakness, and an enlarged liver.
For athletes, 'carb-loading' is a dietary strategy to maximize muscle glycogen stores before endurance events, providing a sustained energy source during prolonged exertion.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'storage form', 'carbohydrates', and 'animals'.
The question asks for the storage form, which implies a larger, more complex molecule (polysaccharide), not the immediate energy source (monosaccharide).
Evaluate each option based on its primary biological role.
Recall or deduce that Starch is the plant equivalent of energy storage.
Recognize Glucose as the basic energy unit that is used immediately or polymerized for storage.
Eliminate Heparin as it is a specialized carbohydrate with an anticoagulant function, unrelated to energy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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