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Ch.17 Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives
McMurry - Fundamentals of GOB 8th Edition
McMurry8th EditionFundamentals of GOBISBN: 9780134015187Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 17, Problem 32a

One phosphorylated form of glycerate is 3-phosphoglycerate
Structural representation of 3-phosphoglycerate, showing the linkage between glycerate and phosphate.
a. Identify the type of linkage between glycerate and phosphate.

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1
Examine the structure of 3-phosphoglycerate, focusing on the connection between the glycerate molecule and the phosphate group.
Identify the functional group on the glycerate molecule where the phosphate group is attached. In this case, the phosphate group is bonded to the hydroxyl (-OH) group on the third carbon of glycerate.
Determine the type of bond formed between the hydroxyl group of glycerate and the phosphate group. This bond is typically a phosphoester bond, which forms when a phosphate group reacts with an alcohol group, releasing water.
Recall that a phosphoester bond is characterized by the linkage: R-O-P(O)_3, where R represents the organic molecule (in this case, glycerate).
Conclude that the type of linkage between glycerate and phosphate in 3-phosphoglycerate is a phosphoester bond, which is a common type of bond in phosphorylated metabolic intermediates.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Phosphate Linkage

The linkage between glycerate and phosphate involves a phosphoester bond, which is formed when a phosphate group is covalently attached to a hydroxyl group of glycerate. This bond is crucial in metabolic pathways, as it allows for the transfer of energy and the regulation of biochemical reactions.
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Glycolytic Cycle

The glycolytic cycle is a series of enzymatic reactions that convert glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH in the process. Understanding this cycle is essential for grasping how intermediates like 3-phosphoglycerate function within cellular metabolism and energy production.
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Metabolic Intermediates

Metabolic intermediates are compounds that form during the metabolic pathways, acting as substrates or products in various biochemical reactions. 3-phosphoglycerate is a key intermediate in glycolysis, highlighting its role in energy metabolism and the importance of understanding its formation and transformation.
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