Question

How many redox equivalents are removed from one molecule of
3-phosphoglyceraldehyde during glycolysis?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Answer 1

The correct option is B 2

Glycolysis is a pathway in which the breakdown of glucose to pyruvic acid occurs. It results in partial oxidation of glucose. The steps involved in glycolysis are:


Oxidation is the loss of electrons or hydrogen. Reduction is the gain of electrons or hydrogen. One redox equivalent is defined as the amount of a substance needed to bring about a change of one unit in oxidation state. For example - gain or loss of one proton (H+) or one electron changes the oxidation state by one unit. In an oxidation reaction, one electron lost is often associated with the loss of a proton. So, one electron and a proton is called a redox equivalent.

During the conversion of 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate, two redox equivalents (i.e., two electrons) are passed onto NAD+ from 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde to form NADH.