Question

Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate and is observed in each of the three domains. The hexokinase family of enzymes is required during glycolysis to phosphorylate six-carbon sugars. Researchers designed a general hexokinase inhibitor that is effective in the neurons of rats.
Which of the following best predicts the effect of adding this inhibitor to a culture of plant cells?
Plant cells will be unable to perform glycolysis due to the inhibitor and will die.

Answer 1

Answer:

Plant cells will be unable to perform glycolysis due to the inhibitor and will die.

Explanation:

Glucose is  a high energy stable compound.Therefore in order to extract the stored energy for cellular use, it must be broken down. The addition of inorganic Phosphate ions(Pi) to 6-carbon glucose compound in the presence of 2ATP  molecules is called Phosphorylation. This phosphorylation  reaction is catalyse by Hexokinase.

The 6C-glucose is spitted to  6C-Fructose phosphate, and  to 6C-fructose biphophate. The later is converted to 2molecules of 3Carbon compounds called triose phosphate.

It is during the  conversion of 2-molecules of 3C- triphosphate  to Pyruvate  that yields 2 ATPs per molecule of glucose.

Therefore if  hexokinase is inhibited ,  then the glucose phosphorylation can not occur. Hence the sequence of events as Glycolytic pathways that leads to  production of ATP during   formation of Pyruvate can not occur.

Definitely, plant cells biochemical reactions will seize, glycolytic pathways will  be inhibited,  ATPs will not be synthesized,leading to plant cells  deaths.