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Glycolysis Overview and Mnemonics

Jun 16, 2025

Overview

This lecture explains glycolysis, focusing on key intermediates and enzymes using mnemonics to quickly memorize the ten steps of the pathway.

Glycolysis Process Overview

  • Glycolysis converts glucose into pyruvate through ten sequential steps.
  • Each step uses a specific enzyme and produces eleven intermediates.
  • The pathway is divided into a preparatory phase (uses ATP) and a payoff phase (produces ATP).

Mnemonics for Glycolysis Intermediates

  • Remember "Great Grandmother Throws Fresh Fruit Dish and Go By Picking Pumpkins To Prepare Pies" for intermediates.
  • Intermediates in order: Glucose, Glucose-6-phosphate, Fructose-6-phosphate, Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, Dihydroxyacetone phosphate, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate, 3-phosphoglycerate, 2-phosphoglycerate, Phosphoenolpyruvate, Pyruvate.
  • Dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) marks the switch between the preparatory and payoff phases.

Mnemonics for Glycolysis Enzymes

  • Use "He Put The Phone And Tried Getting Plastic Plate For Eating Pie" for enzymes.
  • Enzymes in order: Hexokinase, Phosphoglucose isomerase, Phosphofructokinase, Aldolase, Triose phosphate isomerase, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, Phosphoglycerate kinase, Phosphoglycerate mutase, Enolase, Pyruvate kinase.
  • Each step has a corresponding enzyme crucial for the reaction progression.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Glycolysis — metabolic pathway converting glucose to pyruvate, generating ATP.
  • Intermediates — molecules formed at each step of glycolysis.
  • Enzyme — a protein that accelerates chemical reactions in glycolysis.
  • Preparatory phase — first part of glycolysis that consumes ATP.
  • Payoff phase — second part that generates ATP and NADH.
  • Dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) — intermediate marking the phase transition in glycolysis.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Memorize the provided mnemonics for intermediates and enzymes.
  • Review the sequence and roles of glycolytic enzymes and intermediates.
  • Practice writing out the glycolysis pathway from memory.