Final answer:
The enzyme hexokinase or glucokinase converts glucose into glucose-6-phosphate in the first step of glycolysis, which leads to further metabolism of glucose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate is either hexokinase or glucokinase. This reaction takes place during the initial steps of glycolysis, where it serves to trap glucose inside the cell and prepare it for further metabolism. It is an ATP-dependent reaction, implying that ATP is used in the process, producing ADP.
The phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate is necessary for keeping glucose inside the cell, as phosphorylated compounds cannot easily pass through the cell membrane. Additionally, this phosphorylation reaction converts glucose into a more reactive form, setting the stage for the subsequent reactions in glycolysis. The enzyme phosphogluco-isomerase, also known as glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, then converts glucose-6-phosphate into its isomer, fructose-6-phosphate, which has the same chemical formula but a different chemical structure.