Glucose

Welcome to the stages of glycolysis. Glycolysis is how glucose ( a 6-carbon molecule known as C6H12O6) becomes the molecule pyruvate to make energy in humans from cellular respiration. It has ten steps in which a molecule changes into another molecule each time, and without it, we would not have any energy. It is the most ancient and oldest process and does not need any oxygen. Glycolysis starts cellular respiration, so let’s break it down by using an example.

Pyruvate

Keep in mind, this reaction takes place in the organelle called mitochondria in the liquidy cytoplasm.

Cytoplasm

Mr. Glucose is a magician in the town called Cytoplasm in the country Mitochondria. He loves to perform and has been trying to perfect a magic trick called glycolysis. It is when he splits up into two people called Pyruvate. To do this, he needs a train with ten passenger carts, and in every cart, he has to do a different magic act. Every magic act has a name and will transition him. His goal is to get...

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Mr. Glucose sees a train in the distance and runs to catch up so he can do his trick.

Wait up!

Before we start....

Let's go over terms that Mr. Glucose will use and how they are related to science.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate meaning 3 phosphates): Magicians currency (like money), also known as a cells currency. It gives the cell energy and has three phosphate groups (a molecule) where the final one can be ripped apart to make ADP (adenosine diphosphate meaning 2 phosphates).

Phosphorylation: In this case, a spell, where a phosphate group is taken away from a molecule (could be taken from ATP or another molecule) and added to another molecule. 

ATP with THREE phosphates

Hand taking away phosphate group to make ADP

ADP

Reduction of NAD+: NAD+ is  something called an electron carrier. It can take in electrons and give them to other places for functions. A molecule gives away 2 electrons and 1 proton to NAD+ to make it NADH. A molecule with a positive charge (H+) is released into the cytoplasm each type NAD+ is reduced. NADH can donate electrons to help with other functions.

NAD+

NADH

Thank you!

Here take 2 electrons and a proton

Passenger Cart #1: G6P

Mr. Glucose goes into the first cart to turn himself into G6P (Glucose-6-phosphate). He does a phosphorylation spell, as mentioned before. To do this, he must USE an ATP, which is like coal (energy source) being taken from its box, being put into the train, and used for energy. The coal is removed from its original place and used for something else. Mr. Glucose helps put the coal in the train which makes his spell work and he magically turns into the next step, a G6P molecule. In this case, his hair changes.

POOF!

Passenger Cart #2: F6P

Now, he goes to the next cart where he must turn into F6P (fructose-6-phosphate). This is where the G6P arranges itself into a different shape, which is the same thing as a worker on the train telling someone to switch seats. In this case, his eyes change.

POOF!

I will change seats!

Passenger Cart #3: F1,6BP

In this cart, the same thing happens as the first passenger cart. The conductor asks if he can help put the coal into the train (a.k.a the phosphorylation spell) but this time, the molecule F1,6BP (fructose1,6-bisphosphate) is made. Another ATP is used, but in this case, his glasses change.

POOF!

I'll help put the coal into the train.

Passenger Cart #4: DHAP, G3P

He then goes to the next cart, and evil witch Aldolase casts a spell to turn the original Mr.Glucose into two people. One person named DHAP (dihydroxyacetone phosphate) and the other G3P (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate). The spell is not finished since he must look different than he does now. He must finish the spell!

POOF!

Passenger Cart #5: G3P

The two mini copies from the last step come into this passenger cart and are angry because they are different sizes. They do a magic trick to turn into the same sizes of G3P (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate). They are not at the final stage YET.

POOF!

I'm going to use a magic trick to make myself equal.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Half of the trick is done, now Mr. Glucose has done the phosphorylation spell TWICE. So he has lost 2 ATP in total in steps 1 and 3 that has now turned into ADP.

-2

Passenger Cart #6: 1,3BPG

In this step, they need to be changed from G3P to 1,3BPG (1, 3-biphosphoglycerate). To do this, they both must give away 2 electrons and a proton to reduce the NAD+ and become NADH. Then one H+ molecule from each NADH is put out into the cytoplasm (where the reaction occurs). This is like the waiter on the train giving a person food, and they decide to get more food, so they must pay more. The passenger is losing money, the waiter gains money. Now they can become 1,3BPG. In this case, the shirt changes. 

Now since there are two of every molecule because they are split, everything happens TWICE.