Where Does the Second Water Come From in the Glyoxylate Cycle?

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In summary, the Glyoxylate cycle is a metabolic pathway found in certain microorganisms and plants that allows for the conversion of two-carbon compounds into four-carbon compounds. It is similar to the TCA cycle but bypasses two steps, resulting in the net production of four-carbon compounds. It can be found in bacteria, fungi, and plants, as well as some animals that lack the TCA cycle. The purpose of the Glyoxylate cycle is to produce glucose or other sugars from acetyl-CoA, which is important for organisms living in low-nutrient environments. While it does not directly produce ATP, it indirectly contributes to energy production by providing building blocks for other metabolic pathways.
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jenzao
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Where does the second water come from ? I get that the first one comes in the conversion of citrate to isocitrate, but where does 2nd one come in? thanks
 
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Fumarate to malate?
 
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The second water in the glyoxylate cycle comes from the conversion of malate to oxaloacetate. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme malate dehydrogenase, which uses NAD+ as a cofactor to remove two hydrogen atoms from malate, producing oxaloacetate and NADH. This process also results in the release of a water molecule. Therefore, the second water in the glyoxylate cycle is a byproduct of this reaction and is essential for the cycle to continue. It is important to note that the glyoxylate cycle is an alternative pathway for the conversion of acetyl-CoA to glucose in plants and bacteria, and it plays a crucial role in the metabolism of these organisms. I hope this explanation helps to clarify the source of the second water in the glyoxylate cycle.
 

1. What is the Glyoxylate cycle?

The Glyoxylate cycle is a metabolic pathway found in certain microorganisms and plants. It allows for the conversion of two-carbon compounds, such as acetyl-CoA, into four-carbon compounds, which can then be used as building blocks for other molecules.

2. How is the Glyoxylate cycle different from the TCA cycle?

The Glyoxylate cycle is similar to the TCA cycle in that it involves the conversion of acetyl-CoA into other molecules. However, the Glyoxylate cycle bypasses two steps in the TCA cycle, allowing for the net production of four-carbon compounds instead of the usual two-carbon compounds.

3. What organisms have the Glyoxylate cycle?

The Glyoxylate cycle can be found in certain bacteria, fungi, and plants. It is also present in some animals, such as nematodes, that lack the TCA cycle.

4. What is the purpose of the Glyoxylate cycle?

The Glyoxylate cycle allows for the production of glucose or other sugars from acetyl-CoA. This is important for organisms that cannot obtain glucose from their environment, such as plants and bacteria living in low-nutrient environments.

5. How does the Glyoxylate cycle contribute to a cell's energy production?

The Glyoxylate cycle does not directly produce ATP, the main energy currency of cells. However, it can indirectly contribute to energy production by providing building blocks for other metabolic pathways that do produce ATP, such as the TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.

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