The Ten Steps Of Glycolysis

This animation found on youtube gives a generalized idea of the pathway (known as glycolysis) that converts of glucose to pyruvate, ATP and NADH. The video helps to understand the ten steps of glycolysis and highlights the key points that are usually easily forgotten. To enhance this video, the names of the substituent of glucose that are formed by each reaction and the enzyme that is involved could have been identified. To maximize your understanding of this topic, here are the ten steps Glucoes undergo during glycolysis in detail.

STEP 1: Glucose + ATP would give Glucose 6-phospate + ADP (reaction catalyzed by Hexokinaes)

STEP 2: Glucose 6-phospate would give Fructose 6-phosphate (reaction catalyzed by Phosphohexose isomerase)

STEP 3: Fructose 6-phosphate + ATP would give Fructose 1,6-bisphospate + ADP (reaction catalyzed by Phosphofructokinase-1)

STEP 4: Fructose 1,6-bisphospate would give Glyceraldehyde 3-phospate + Dihydroxyacetone (reaction catalyzed by Aldolase)

STEP 5: Glyceraldehyde 3-phospate + Dihydroxyacetone would give (2 molecules) Glyceraldehyde 3-phospate (reaction catalyzed by Triosephosphate isomerase)

STEP 6: (2 molecules) Glyceraldehyde 3-phospate + Phosphate + 2NAD+ would give (2 molecules) 1,3-Biphosphoglycerate + 2NADH + H+ (reaction catalyzed by Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase)

STEP 7: (2 molecules) 1,3-Biphosphoglycerate + 2ADP would give (2 molecules) 3-Phosphoglycerate + 2ADP ( reaction catalyzed by Phosphoglycerate kinase)

STEP 8: (2 molecules) 3-Phosphoglycerate would give (2 molecules) 2-Phosphoglycerate (reaction catalyzed by Phosphoglycerate mutase)

STEP 9: (2 molecules) 2-Phosphoglycerate would give (2 molecules) 2-Phosphohenolpyruvate + 2H2O (reaction catalyzed by Endolase)

STEP 10: (2 molecules) 2-Phosphohenolpyruvate + 2ADP would give (2 molecules) Pyruvate + 2ADP (reaction catalyzed by Pyruvatekinase)

Glycolysis Made Simple

 

 

Glycolysis is the principal pathway of glucose metabolism occurs in the cytosol of all cells where glucose is oxidized to pyruvate and generates energy in the form of ATP. Oxidation of glucose to pyruvate via glycolysis occurs in two stages. First stage is energy investment phase and consists of first five reactions of glycolysis in which phosphorylated forms of intermediates are produced at the expense of ATP. Last stage is energy generating phase and consists of subsequent five reactions of glycolysis in which pyruvate is formed with generation of 2 molecules of ATP.

The Cell Quiz

For each question there is only one (1) right answer. Select the letter (A, B, C, D or E) that corresponds to the correct answer.

1. Structures that exist in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are:
(i) ribosome, cell membrane, cytoplasm
(ii) cell wall, plasmid, mesosome
(iii) flagella, DNA, photosynthetic material
(iv) Golgi complex, mitochondria, capsule

A. (i) only
B. (i) and (iii) only
C. (ii) and (iii) only
D. (i) , (ii) and (iii) only
E. (i) , (ii) and (iv) only

2. Which of the following best describe the function of the cytoskeleton?
A. Protection and support
B. Motility or moving fluids over surfaces
C. Structural support and cellular movement
D. Site of protein synthesis
E. Isolate particular chemical activities from the cell

3. What are the functions of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
(i) metabolism of lipids
(ii) synthesis of steroids
(iii) synthesis of cholesterol
(iv) detoxification of drugs

A. (i) and (ii) only
B. (i) and (iv) only
C. (ii) and (iii) only
D. (ii) , (iii) and (iv) only
E. (i) , (ii) , (iii) and (iv)

4. Which statement best describes the endoplasmic reticulum?
A. Structure that is surrounded by a double membrane and contains chromosomes
B. Stacks of flattened vesicles
C. Outer layer of cellulose and chitin
D. Network of internal membranes
E. Lipid bilayer with embedded proteins

5. B-lymphocyte is a type of blood cell. What is the function of this specific cell?
A. Defense against parasites
B. Inflammatory response
C. Cellular immune response
D. Immune surveillance
E. Antibody production

The Cell

Did you know, the cell, the fundamental unit of all living things was discovered by Robert Hooke? The cell can be defined as the smallest unit with the ability to perform life functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction etc.

Cells are divided into two main categories, Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic. Prokaryotes are single celled organisms and are grouped together in the kingdom Monera. Eukaryotes are both unicellular and multi-cellular organisms. Single celled eukaryotic organisms belong to the kingdom Protista. Multi-cellular eukaryotic organisms are divided into the kingdoms Plantae, Animalia and Fungi.

Cells differ in size and shape depending on its type and function. These cells contain organelles that perform different functions within the cell.

Here are the functions of organelles of a typical Prokaryotic cell

          

Image taken from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9c0VvUbmVQ

Eukaryotic cells can be divided into two different groups, Animal cells and Plant cells. Plant and Animal cells are somewhat similar in that both contain some of the same organelles like nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria and a plasma membrane. They differ mainly in structure. Unlike animal cells plant cells have a cell wall and contain chloroplast

Here are the functions of organelles of both Plant and Animal cells

Image taken from; ‘Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry (5E 2008 ISBN 9780716771081) David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox’

Little Bit About Me

My name is Shardana Ramsamooj. I am a dedicated biology student. I enjoy spending time in nature, cooking and learning new things and meeting new people. I hope to one day teach biology, a subject I find most fascinating. I’m currently doing a biochemistry course, which I found to be easier to follow than I expected. My class has hundreds of students and it is easy to get lost in the crowd, especially for someone like me. The lecturer seems to think that interacting through blogs would help us learn more while helping others to gain a better understanding of the topics. I am very interested to see how it all works out..