The Glycolysis Process in Humans and in Yeast Essay

The Glycolysis Process in Humans and in Yeast - Essay Example These two molecules will each yield 2 ATPs and 1 NADH during the 5-step payoff stage for a net gain of 2 ATPs and 1 NADH (Audesirk, Audesirk, & Byers 2006 p.102). These bonus ATP molecules will be used by the body's muscles as glycolysis converts glucose to energy. The investment stage begins its 5-step process by converting the glucose to a charged phosphate, which is then trapped inside the cell wall, which is impenetrable to ions (Campbell & Reese 2002 p.162). From this point on the process in non-reversible. The reaction in the initial stage expends the first ATP. Step 3 expends the second ATP as fructose 6-phosphate is converted into fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (Audesirk, Audesirk, & Byers 2006 p.102). Step 4 will split this molecule into two carbon intermediaries to be processed separately by the generation phase (McMurry & Castillion 2003 p.670). Step 6 oxidizes by the transfer of NAD+ to the sugar from step 5. During step 6-7 of the generation phase the process yields 1 NADH and 1 ATP respectively (Audesirk, Audesirk, & Byers 2006 p.102). Since there were 2 molecules produced by the generation phase, the output is actually doubled. At this point the glycolysis reaction is at a break even point. It has invested 2 ATPs and yielded 2 ATPs. Step 10 creates another ATP molecule by transferring the phosphoenolpyruvate from step 9 to ATP and pyruvate (McMurry & Castillion 2003 p.163).