what is the purpose of step 5 in glycolysis. Can pyrutate be made without the enzyme that catalyzes step 5?

In this step(5), two main events take place: 1) glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is oxidized by the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD); 2) the molecule is phosphorylated by the addition of a free phosphate group. The enzyme that catalyzes this reaction is glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
dehydrogenase (GAPDH).

i cant figure out or find anhything online to say if it is necessary or if there is some major purpose of step 5 i know what occurs but not the importance....someone please help me i have an exam tomorrow morning!!!

nope sure didn't i had already done that that is why i typed my question in here

Step 5 in glycolysis, which is catalyzed by the enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), serves a crucial role in the overall process. In this step, two main events occur: 1) the oxidation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, and 2) the phosphorylation of the molecule.

The oxidation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate involves the transfer of hydride ions (H-) to the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), resulting in the reduction of NAD+ to NADH. This redox reaction helps to capture energy that is later used in the synthesis of ATP.

The phosphorylation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate involves the addition of a phosphate group from an inorganic phosphate (Pi). This process generates 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate, which is an important intermediate in glycolysis.

Overall, step 5 plays a critical role in the energy-producing phase of glycolysis by generating ATP through substrate-level phosphorylation and producing the molecules necessary for subsequent steps in the pathway.

Regarding the second part of your question, the enzyme GAPDH is essential for catalyzing step 5 of glycolysis. Without this enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate would not be able to undergo the necessary oxidation and phosphorylation reactions, halting the progress of glycolysis. Therefore, pyruvate cannot be produced without the presence of GAPDH.

To summarize, step 5 of glycolysis, catalyzed by GAPDH, is important for the energy production and regulation of glycolysis. It cannot be bypassed or skipped in the absence of the enzyme, as it is required for pyruvate formation.