Question

Why are triglycerides a more efficient way to store energy than glycogen?

1)Triglycerides have more carbon than glycogen

2)Triglycerides have more branches than glycogen.

3)Triglycerides are hydrophobic and do not interact with water

4)Triglcyerides are larger than glycogen

Answer 1

Ans. Correct option is 3)Triglycerides are hydrophobic and do not interact with water.

• triacylglycerides are hydrophobic and thus,unhydrated.So the organism that carries fat as fuel does not have to carry the extra weight of water of hydration that is associated with stored polysaccharides.
• Triacylglycerides have two main advantages over glycogen -i) The carbon atoms of fatty acids are more reduced than those of glycogen. ii) oxidation of triacylglycerides yields more than twice as much energy as that of carbohydrates