Where do animals store glucose for long-term energy?

Animals store glucose for long-term energy primarily as glycogen, which is a polysaccharide that serves as a form of energy storage. Glycogen is stored mainly in the liver and muscle tissues. When the body requires energy, glycogen can be rapidly broken down into glucose molecules for use, making it an efficient way to maintain energy levels during physical activity or between meals.

In the liver, glycogen helps to regulate blood sugar levels, releasing glucose into the bloodstream as needed. In muscle tissue, glycogen provides a readily available energy source during periods of increased activity, such as exercise. This storage method is crucial because, unlike starch, which is used for energy storage in plants, glycogen is tailored for the energy needs of animals.

Other options, such as starch and cellulose, play different roles in plants and structural functions, respectively, while triglycerides in adipose tissue are primarily involved in long-term energy storage but are not the main form of stored glucose. Triglycerides store energy in the form of fat, which is not directly derived from glucose as glycogen is. Thus, glycogen stands out as the specific compound for long-term glucose storage in animals.