What Molecule From Food Is the Primary Reactant for Glycolysis?
Glucose: The Primary Reactant for Glycolysis
Glycolysis is the first step in the breakdown of glucose, the sugar that is our body’s main source of energy. In this process, glucose is converted into pyruvate, a molecule that can be further broken down for energy. Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm of cells and is catalyzed by a series of enzymes.
The first step in glycolysis is the phosphorylation of glucose, which is catalyzed by the enzyme hexokinase. This reaction converts glucose into glucose-6-phosphate, which is then converted into fructose-6-phosphate by the enzyme phosphofructokinase-1. Fructose-6-phosphate is then isomerized into fructose-1,6-bisphosphate by the enzyme aldolase.
Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate is then cleaved into two three-carbon molecules, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. These two molecules are then interconverted by the enzyme triosephosphate isomerase. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is then oxidized to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate by the enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. This reaction produces NADH, which is a reducing agent that can be used in other metabolic pathways.
1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate is then converted into 3-phosphoglycerate by the enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase. This reaction produces ATP, which is the energy currency of the cell. 3-Phosphoglycerate is then converted into 2-phosphoglycerate by the enzyme phosphoglycerate mutase.
2-Phosphoglycerate is then dephosphorylated to phosphoenolpyruvate by the enzyme enolase. This reaction produces another molecule of ATP. Finally, phosphoenolpyruvate is converted into pyruvate by the enzyme pyruvate kinase. This reaction produces the final product of glycolysis, pyruvate.
Pyruvate can be further broken down for energy in the Krebs cycle or it can be converted into lactate and used as a fuel source by muscle cells during anaerobic exercise.
What Molecule From Food Is The Primary Reactant For Glycolysis?
| Molecule | Formula | Function |
|—|—|—|
| Glucose | C6H12O6 | Main source of energy for cells |
| Fructose | C6H12O6 | Another source of energy for cells |
| Galactose | C6H12O6 | A third source of energy for cells |
Glycolysis is the first step in cellular respiration, the process by which cells convert glucose into energy. Glucose is a six-carbon sugar molecule that is the primary source of energy for cells. It is absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine after a meal and transported to cells by the hormone insulin.
In glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate, a three-carbon molecule. This process produces ATP, NADH, and pyruvate. ATP is the energy currency of the cell, and NADH is a coenzyme that is used in the electron transport chain. Pyruvate is either converted into acetyl-CoA or used for fermentation.
The Structure of Glucose
Glucose is a six-carbon sugar molecule with the chemical formula C6H12O6. It is a simple sugar, meaning that it cannot be broken down into smaller units by hydrolysis. Glucose is a white, crystalline solid that is soluble in water. It is found in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Glucose is the primary source of energy for cells. It is used to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell. ATP is required for many cellular processes, including muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and cell division.
The Role of Glucose in Glycolysis
Glycolysis is the first step in cellular respiration. It is a series of chemical reactions that break down glucose into pyruvate. This process produces ATP, NADH, and pyruvate.
ATP is the energy currency of the cell. It is used to power many cellular processes, including muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and cell division.
NADH is a coenzyme that is used in the electron transport chain. The electron transport chain is a series of chemical reactions that produce ATP.
Pyruvate is either converted into acetyl-CoA or used for fermentation. Acetyl-CoA is a molecule that is used in the Krebs cycle, the second step in cellular respiration. Fermentation is a process that produces ATP without oxygen.
Glucose is a six-carbon sugar molecule that is the primary source of energy for cells. It is absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine after a meal and transported to cells by the hormone insulin. In glycolysis, glucose is broken down into pyruvate, a three-carbon molecule. This process produces ATP, NADH, and pyruvate. ATP is the energy currency of the cell, and NADH is a coenzyme that is used in the electron transport chain. Pyruvate is either converted into acetyl-CoA or used for fermentation.
null
glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate. It is the primary source of energy for cells and is used to generate ATP, the molecule that cells use for energy. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and is divided into two phases: the preparatory phase and the pay-off phase. In the preparatory phase, glucose is converted into glucose-6-phosphate, which is then phosphorylated to fructose-6-phosphate. Fructose-6-phosphate is then isomerized to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, which is then split into two three-carbon molecules, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P). In the pay-off phase, G3P is oxidized to pyruvate, and ATP and NADH are produced. The NADH is then used in the electron transport chain to generate more ATP. Glycolysis is a vital metabolic pathway that provides cells with the energy they need to function.
Author Profile

-
I was born and raised in the fabulous state of Maryland but recently decided to pack up my stuff and move to the Midwest city they call Chicago.
I hope to capture all of my life’s adventures of living in the windy city. AKA the food I cook, my journey to the Chicago Marathon, the books I read and the trashy TV shows I watch. I’m a health-nut, book-worm and exercise fiend.
Join me, Kelsey, on this exciting journey as I embrace the challenges and joys of my new life in Chicago. From mastering the art of healthy cooking to hitting the pavement for marathon training, my blog is a window into my world of self-discovery and fun.
Latest entries
- January 16, 2024Can Animals Eat This?How to Cook Salmon and Rice: A Delicious and Healthy Meal
- January 16, 2024Can You Eat This?Can You Eat Parrots? (A Complete Guide)
- January 16, 2024Can You Eat This?Can You Eat Tomatoes With Black Spots?: The Ultimate Guide
- January 16, 2024Can Animals Eat This?Can Rabbits Eat Rosemary: The Ultimate Guide