Question

true or false question

the pyruvate molecules that form at the end of glycolysis are the first 3-carbon molecules that form in this pathway.

true
false

Explanation:

Analyze the cleavage step of glycolysis

The 6-carbon sugar fructose-1,6-bisphosphate is cleaved by the enzyme aldolase into two 3-carbon molecules: dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P).

Compare with the final product

Pyruvate is indeed a 3-carbon molecule, but it is the final product of glycolysis (formed in step 10), whereas DHAP and G3P are formed much earlier in the pathway (step 4). Therefore, pyruvate is not the first 3-carbon molecule to form.

Answer:

• True
• (False) (Correct answer)