Describe the one dehydration reaction in glycolysis. Include reactants, products, enzyme, and which step it is.

I know that it is step 6 and I believe that the reaction uses glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase to convert glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate into 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate. I don't know why or how to explain??? Thank you

In glycolysis, step 6 involves a dehydration reaction catalyzed by the enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Let's break down the reaction further:

Reactants: The reactant in this step is glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P), which is a three-carbon sugar phosphate molecule.

Enzyme: The enzyme responsible for catalyzing this reaction is called glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH).

Products: The dehydration reaction converts G3P into 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate (1,3-BPG). This molecule contains two phosphate groups and is a key intermediate in the glycolysis pathway.

Explanation: During the dehydration reaction, an inorganic phosphate (Pi) is removed from the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate molecule, resulting in the formation of a high-energy compound known as a thioester intermediate. This intermediate reacts with an oxidizing agent, often NAD⁺, to transfer high-energy electrons to it. As a result, NAD⁺ is reduced to NADH.

The removal of the phosphate and the transfer of high-energy electrons to NAD⁺ is critical for the overall energy-coupling process in glycolysis. Ultimately, these high-energy electrons will be transferred to the electron transport chain for the generation of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

To further understand the detailed mechanism and the structural changes occurring during this reaction, it is helpful to refer to biochemical literature or educational resources that provide visual representations and explanations. These resources can provide a more in-depth understanding of the sequence of steps involved in the dehydration reaction.

Remember, step 6 of glycolysis involving the dehydration reaction serves to generate energy-rich byproducts such as NADH and 1,3-BPG, which are crucial for the subsequent steps of glycolysis and energy production.