Final answer:
3-Phosphoglycerate is isomerized to 2-phosphoglycerate by the action of phosphoglycerate mutase, which facilitates the movement of a phosphate group from the third carbon to the second, resulting in this isomerization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The isomerization of 3-Phosphoglycerate yields 2-phosphoglycerate. This chemical reaction involves the enzyme phosphoglycerate mutase, which facilitates the transfer of a phosphate group from the third carbon to the second carbon of the glycerate molecule. Initially, the enzyme donates its phosphate group to the -OH at position 2 of the glycerate. Subsequently, the phosphate group at position 3 transfers to the enzyme, resulting in the formation of 2-phosphoglycerate, an isomer of 3-phosphoglycerate.
Following this isomerization, 2-phosphoglycerate undergoes dehydration to form phosphoenolpyruvate in a subsequent reaction. It should be noted that these biochemical processes are part of a larger metabolic pathway where glucose is broken down to extract energy.