Synthesizing Glucose from Pyruvate: Stuck at 3-phosphoglyceroylphosphate

  • Thread starter Thread starter HazZy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Glucose
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the biochemical process of synthesizing glucose from pyruvate, specifically focusing on the conversion steps leading to 3-phosphoglyceroylphosphate. The original poster expresses difficulty in progressing from this intermediate compound towards glucose synthesis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster outlines a sequence of biochemical transformations but encounters a challenge at the 3-phosphoglyceroylphosphate stage, questioning what reducing agent to use. Other participants discuss the reversibility of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, with some clarifying misconceptions about energy requirements and the nature of these processes.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes various perspectives on the reversibility of glycolysis and the efficiency of gluconeogenesis. Some participants provide links to external resources, while others share personal experiences related to the biochemical processes discussed. There is no explicit consensus, but the dialogue appears to be productive in exploring different interpretations of the reactions involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention constraints regarding the energy dynamics of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, as well as the original poster's need for clarity on specific steps in the synthesis process. The original poster also notes that their textbook does not cover the step they are struggling with.

HazZy
Messages
100
Reaction score
0
pyruvate ---> glucose

ok so my professor gave us the task of synthesizing glucose from pyruvate and I'm stuck somewhere near the middle .

showing all my work so far would clutter this thread quite a bit so i'll simplify.

pyruvate -> oxaloacetate -> phosphoenolpyruvate -> 2-phosphoglycerate -> 3-phosphoglycerate -> 3-phosphoglyceroylphosphate -> STUCK HERE!

i see i need to reduce 3-phosphoglyceroylphosphate then do keto-enol tautomerization in order for an aldol reaction to form fructose, but i can't figure out what to reduce it with! anyone know? my book doesn't seem to cover this step . thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Glycolosis is the process by which glucose is turned into pyruvate.

Thus, you simple need to see this process, and reverse it.

Here is an explanation of Glycolosis:

http://www.people.virginia.edu/~rjh9u/glycol.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
not true, glycolosis releases far too much energy to be reversed. however the step i needed was reversable, thanks.
 
And that energy is captured from sunlight by chloroplasts in plants :) The reaction IS reversable although it requires a lot of energy.
 
Originally posted by HazZy
not true, glycolosis releases far too much energy to be reversed. however the step i needed was reversable, thanks.


Come one now guy. Don't try to put controversy into something so simple.

Of course it's true. I've done this experiement myself, man. Not theoretically but experiementally.


Ugh.
 
can you please point me to a site that deals with the exact reverse reaction of glycolosis? and even if it can be reversed it would be a waste of time since gluconeogenesis(the reaction i was working on) is much more energy efficient :wink:.
 
Originally posted by HazZy
can you please point me to a site that deals with the exact reverse reaction of glycolosis? and even if it can be reversed it would be a waste of time since gluconeogenesis(the reaction i was working on) is much more energy efficient :wink:.

Not a waste of time if it can have unique results.

http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/gbowes/bot3503/resp.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
well see they call the reverse reaction of glycolosis "gluconeogenesis" only because you end with the reverse results of glycolosis. it isn't an exact reverse reaction due to the energy given off and three steps that are simply irreversable.

no biggie, it was just a minor correction :wink:.

http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~molbio/Courses/MBB_408_512/topics408a2002.pdf

7/10 steps are reversable and one of those 7 ended up being the step i was missing, so... thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
15K
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
7K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
10K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K