3-phosphoglycerate
Definition
3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) is a 3-carbon molecule formed during the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis. It is an intermediate that plays a crucial role in the synthesis of glucose.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- 3-phosphoglycerate is produced from ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) through the action of the enzyme RuBisCO.
- It is one of the first stable products formed in the Calvin cycle after carbon fixation.
- 3-PGA can be converted into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P), which is used to generate glucose and other carbohydrates.
- The conversion of 3-PGA to G3P requires ATP and NADPH, which are products of the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
- In C4 and CAM plants, 3-phosphoglycerate still plays a role but via different initial steps involving alternative pathways.
Review Questions
- What enzyme catalyzes the formation of 3-phosphoglycerate in the Calvin cycle?
- How many carbon atoms does a molecule of 3-phosphoglycerate have?
- What are the energy molecules required to convert 3-PGA into G3P?
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Related terms
Calvin Cycle: A series of biochemical reactions that occur in the stroma of chloroplasts during photosynthesis.
RuBisCO: An enzyme that catalyzes the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, initiating carbon fixation.
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P): A three-carbon molecule that serves as an intermediate in both glycolysis and photosynthesis.
