Question

The reversible reaction shown here is part of the Calvin cycle, a pathway in photosynthetic organisms. Which glycolytic reaction does this reaction resemble and what type of enzyme catalyzes it?

Short answer

The reaction is similar to reaction 4 of the glycolysis pathway that is catalyzed by the enzyme aldolase.

Step-by-step solution

Calvin cycle

In the presence of light, carbon dioxide (CO₂) diffuses into Calvin's cycle reaction sites through the leaf pores. Calvin's cycle's fate is divided into three steps: carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration, which occur in the dark.

Glycolysis

The glycolytic reaction is a series of 10 enzyme-catalyzed processes that produce two pyruvate molecules from one molecule of glucose. During this process, 2 ATP is produced, and 2 NAD⁺ is reduced to 2 NADH. Process 4 of glycolysis is similar to the described reaction.

Given reaction resembles the Glycolytic reaction

An aldolase carries out the reaction, which parallels Step 4 of glycolysis. In step 4 of the glycolysis, the two trioses glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GAP) and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) is created when FBP is broken down by enzyme aldolase. The reaction is summarized as follows: