glycogen Chem.
(ˈglaɪkədʒɛn, ˈglɪkə-)
Also glu-, glycogene.
[f. glyco- + -gen; the name refers to the fact that the substance is the source of the sugar in animal tissues.]
A white, amorphous, tasteless, inodorous, starch-like substance found in animal tissues, esp. the liver; it is easily convertible into dextrose by boiling in dilute acid.
| 1860 N. Syd. Soc. Year-bk. 1859. 86 The liver possesses the power of forming glucogene. 1864 Watts Dict. Chem. II. 906 Glycogen, Animal starch, Animal dextrin, Hepatin. 1872 Huxley Phys. v. 117 The liver..elaborates from the blood passing through it a substance called glycogen. |