What occurs to PGAL during glycolysis to form pyruvate?

During glycolysis, PGAL (phosphoglyceraldehyde), also known as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, undergoes a crucial transformation to form pyruvate. The process involves an oxidation reaction, where PGAL is oxidized, leading to the reduction of NAD+ to NADH. This step is essential because it captures energy in the form of reducing power, which is used later in cellular respiration.

The oxidation of PGAL produces a high-energy acyl phosphate compound, which is then phosphorylated, resulting in the formation of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate. This compound eventually leads to the formation of pyruvate through subsequent enzymatic reactions in glycolysis.

Understanding this process is vital, as it highlights the energetic shifts that occur during glycolysis, showcasing how cells transform glucose into usable energy intermediates.