When glucose undergoes phosphorylation in glycolysis, what molecule is produced?

When glucose undergoes phosphorylation in glycolysis, it is converted to glucose 6-phosphate. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme hexokinase (or glucokinase in the liver) and is the first step in the glycolytic pathway. The phosphorylation of glucose occurs when a phosphate group from ATP is transferred to the glucose molecule. This conversion is critical because it effectively traps glucose within the cell, as glucose 6-phosphate cannot easily cross the cell membrane and is also a substrate for various metabolic pathways.

The formation of glucose 6-phosphate marks the beginning of glycolysis, enabling subsequent transformations of glucose to start producing energy for the cell. This phosphorylation reaction not only aids in glucose retention within the cell but also serves to regulate metabolism by marking the molecule for further processing in glycolysis or other pathways, like the pentose phosphate pathway.

Understanding this step is essential, as it highlights the importance of enzymatic regulation and energy investment in the process of glycolysis. The other molecules mentioned are products of later steps in the glycolytic pathway, thus emphasizing the significance of glucose 6-phosphate as a vital intermediate in cellular metabolism.