Final answer:
Glycolysis in human erythrocytes is the process by which glucose is converted into ATP. Changes in free energy occur at various steps of glycolysis, with the overall process being energetically favorable. However, in pyruvate kinase deficiency, the final step of glycolysis is blocked, leading to cellular distortion and premature destruction of red blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Glycolysis is the process by which glucose is broken down in the cytoplasm of cells to produce ATP.
In human erythrocytes (red blood cells), glycolysis is the primary source of energy. During glycolysis, changes in free energy occur at various steps of the pathway.
In the first stage of glycolysis, glucose is converted to glucose-6-phosphate, releasing a small amount of free energy.
The second stage involves the conversion of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to pyruvate, which also releases free energy.
Overall, glycolysis is a net energetically favorable reaction, meaning it releases more free energy than it consumes.
This energy is used to produce ATP molecules, which serve as an energy source for various cellular processes.
However, in pyruvate kinase deficiency, the final step of glycolysis is blocked, resulting in a discrepancy between ATP generation and energy requirements in erythrocytes.
This can lead to cellular distortion, rigidity, and premature destruction of red blood cells.