1. In the hexokinase assay, the reaction goes to completion – that is, all the g
ID: 203852 • Letter: 1
Question
1. In the hexokinase assay, the reaction goes to completion – that is, all the glucose is consumed. What does this tell you about the equilibrium position of the two reactions? Do both of them have to lie over to the right?
2. Why is the hexokinase assay specific for glucose, and not some other hexose sugar?
3. Does the glucose level in the unknown fall within expected values for normal serum? (include a reference for the source of your information – and I don’t mean Wikipedia – a reputable source such as the ADA, Mayo Clinic or similar).
Explanation / Answer
Ans 1) During the hexokinase assay, the reaction is completed and all the glucose is consumed. The hexokinase assay is when the glucose is converted or changed into glucose-6-phosphate is presence of hexokinase. In this the two reactions are glucose is converted to glucose -6 – phosphate along with ATP hydrolysis. The reverse reaction is conversion of glucose-6-phosphate to glucose conversion. At equilibrium the glucose is converted to glucose-6-phosphate which is further converted to fructose-6-phosphate in presence of phosphoesterase isomerase. Both the products are not present in the same side as it is further converted.
Ans 2) The hexokinase is an enzyme which helps in phosphorylation of the hexose and 6-carbon sugar which forms the hexose phosphate. The hexokinase assay is specific for only glucose as it is based using the NAD+ reduction using glucose 6 phosphate dehyrogenase. It is specifc for glucose as the assay is used for transforming the glucose to glucose 6 phosphate.
Ans 3) Yes, the glucose value in the unknown fall within the normal value of the normal serum when there is conversion of it to glucose-6-phosphate. Depending on the consumption of food and nutrients it falls accordingly. The normal level of glucose in serum is around 5.5mmol/L which might fluctuate throughout the day.
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