[Campbell Biology P.123] Animals predominantly store energy in the form of fat rather than p... | Practice Question

Animals predominantly store energy in the form of fat rather than polysaccharides like starch. What is the main reason for this difference in energy storage strategy between animals and plants?

  • A: Fats are easier for animals to synthesize than polysaccharides.
  • B: Fats provide more than double the energy per gram compared to polysaccharides, offering a more compact energy reserve for mobile organisms.
  • C: Polysaccharides are toxic to animals when stored in large quantities.
  • D: Plants cannot synthesize fats, only polysaccharides.

Explanation

The text states, 'A gram of fat stores more than twice as much energy as a gram of a polysaccharide, such as starch.' It further explains that 'Animals, however, must carry their energy stores with them, so there is an advantage to having a more compact reservoir of fuel—fat.' This highlights the higher energy density of fats, which makes them a more efficient and compact form of energy storage for mobile organisms like animals compared to the bulkier polysaccharides.