GLYCOGEN

glycogen, animal starch

(noun) one form in which body fuel is stored; stored primarily in the liver and broken down into glucose when needed by the body

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

glycogen (countable and uncountable, plural glycogens)

(carbohydrate) A polysaccharide that is the main form of carbohydrate storage in animals; converted to glucose as needed.

Source: Wiktionary

Gly"co*gen, n. Etym: [Gr. -gen: cf. F. glycogène.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Definition: A white, amorphous, tasteless substance resembling starch, soluble in water to an opalescent fluid. It is found abundantly in the liver of most animals, and in small quantity in other organs and tissues, particularly in the embryo. It is quickly changed into sugar when boiled with dilute sulphuric or hydrochloric acid, and also by the action of amylolytic ferments.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition