Which statement is true about glycogen storage in the liver?

• A. The liver stores fat as its primary energy reserve
• B. The liver stores glycogen as a quick-access energy reserve
• C. The liver stores protein as glycogen
• D. The liver does not store any energy

Answer: (B)

Glycogen storage in the liver serves as a quick-access glucose reservoir to keep blood sugar levels stable between meals. When blood glucose drops, the liver rapidly breaks down glycogen into glucose and releases it into the bloodstream, thanks to enzymes that finish the conversion to free glucose. This mechanism helps tissues like the brain stay fueled during fasting. In contrast, muscle glycogen is used locally to power contractions and isn’t released into the bloodstream. Fat storage happens mainly in adipose tissue, not the liver, and glycogen is a carbohydrate, not a protein. So the statement that the liver stores glycogen as a quick-access energy reserve best describes its role.