What is the function of a thioester intermediate such as the one formed from GAP?
A) It speeds up the actual reaction so that more product can be made.
B) The thioester shifts the equilibrium of the first stage of the reaction.
C) The thioester allows the two-step reaction to be coupled so the second reaction, the energetically unfavorable phosphorylation, can proceed.
D) The thioester intermediate induces a conformational change that alters the enzyme specificity.
E) The thioester prevents the formation of metabolically unfavorable side products.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The thioester intermediate, such as the one formed from glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP) in glycolysis, allows the two-step reaction to be coupled. This coupling enables the second step, which is the energetically unfavorable phosphorylation, to proceed by providing the necessary energy.

What Is the Function of a Thioester Intermediate Such as the One