The reaction for the cleavage of fructose 1, 6-bisphosphate to dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate is catalyzed by the enzyme fructose 1, 6-bisphosphate aldolase and has a standard free energy change of ΔG°′ = +23.8 kJ/mol.
A. What is the Keq of the reaction at 37o C? (R = 8.314 J/°mol)?
B. If the intracellular concentration of fructose 1, 6-bisphosphate at equilibrium (ΔG = 0) was 10 mM, what would be the predicted concentration of the products?
C. In cells, the reaction catalyzed by fructose 1, 6-bisphosphate aldolase readily occurs to produce dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. Why do you think this is the case especially since the aldolase reaction has a large positive ΔG°′ = 23.8 kJ/mol?