Answer to Question #146292 in General Chemistry for afaa

Question

Explain why sugars such as glucose and sucrose are useful for immediate energy, but are not suitable as long term energy stores

Answer 1

Answer:

Sugars are useful for immediate energy for the following reasons:

1. They are easily digested.
2. They are soluble in water - therefore, easier to transport.

However, Sugars are far less suitable for long-term energy:

1. Their amount significantly affects the osmotic pressure. Therefore, a cell/body cannot have too much of them.
2. Sugars provide less energy per the same mass(approximately one half) than, for example, lipids, which are more suitable for long-term energy storage(and less suitable as an immediate energy sources).