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Explain why pi (inorganic phosphate) is required for glycolysis to proceed?
Accepted Answer
Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is essential for glycolysis to proceed because it plays a crucial role in several key steps:
1. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate (1,3-BPG): Pi is incorporated into G3P during its oxidation, forming 1,3-BPG. This reaction is catalyzed by glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and is crucial for generating a high-energy phosphate bond.
2. 1,3-BPG to 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PG): Pi is transferred from 1,3-BPG to ADP, forming ATP. This step is catalyzed by phosphoglycerate kinase and represents the first substrate-level phosphorylation in glycolysis.
3. Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to pyruvate: Pi is released during the conversion of PEP to pyruvate, catalyzed by pyruvate kinase. This reaction also generates ATP via substrate-level phosphorylation.
Therefore, Pi is necessary for both energy production (ATP synthesis) and for the chemical transformations within glycolysis.
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