Question

Select molecules that are produced during the second half (last 5 steps) of glycolysis:

a) ATP and NADH
b) Pyruvate and ATP
c) Glucose-6-phosphate and NADPH
d) Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate and CO₂

Answer 1

During the second half of glycolysis, ATP and NADH are produced, along with pyruvate, as end products. The correct selection from the provided options is b) Pyruvate and ATP. No glucose-6-phosphate, NADPH, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, or CO₂ are produced in these steps.

Step-by-step explanation:

The molecules produced during the second half of glycolysis are ATP and NADH. This process also yields pyruvate from the breakdown of glucose. Initially, the second half of glycolysis involves the oxidation of glyceradehyde-3-phosphate, where high-energy electrons are extracted and transferred to NAD+, forming NADH. Subsequent to this, through a series of steps, the phosphorylation without ATP investment occurs, and 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate is transformed eventually into pyruvate. Along the way, four ATP molecules are synthesized, but since two ATPs were used in the first half of glycolysis, the net yield is two ATPs per glucose molecule.

The second half of glycolysis gives a net profit of 2 ATP and 2 NADH per glucose molecule. No glucose-6-phosphate, NADPH, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, or CO₂ are produced during these last five steps of glycolysis.