14. Pyruvate kinase is the last flux-controlling steps in glycolysis. In glycolysis, this enzyme functions in the reverse direction, not in the direction of its name (which would indicate that pyruvate reacts with ATP to make a product).

A. Write the mechanism of pyruvate kinase in the direction it functions in glycolysis. (15 pts)

B. The pyruvate kinase reaction has a DG of -13.9 kJ/mol. This is because it converts a very high energy phosphate-containing compound into ATP, which is not quite so high in energy. Draw the structure of the very high energy phosphate-containing compound and explain using structures why it is so high energy. (15 pts)

C. In cells, the pyruvate kinase reaction has a DG of -13.9 kJ/mol. Given that ATP + H2O ADP + Pi has a DG of -30.5 kJ/mol, calculate the DG for the conversion of the very-high-energy compound to its product in the pyruvate kinase reaction. (5 pts)