Glyoxyalate Shunt

Question 1

Glyoxylate Pathway

Answer 1

A route that bypasses some of the reactions of the citric acid cycle.

It provides an alternative route for the metabolism of acetyl CoA.

Question 2

First reaction

Answer 2

A six carbon tricarboxylic acid (isocitrate) is split into a two carbon molecule (glyoxylate) and a four carbon dicarboxylic acid (succinate). The reaction is catalyzed by isocitrate lyase.

Question 3

Second Reaction

Answer 3

The two carbon glyoxylate molecule combines with a two carbon acetyl CoA molecule to make a four carbon dicarboxylic acid (malate). The enzyme for the second reaction is malate synthase.