Question

What happens to the 2nd from the top carbon of aspartate (left) when it is transformed into oxaloacetate (right)? a) It is forming hydrogen bonds b) It is being phosphorylated c) It is being oxidized d) It is being reduced What happens to the 3rd from the top carbon? O a) It is being oxidized Ob) It is being reduced c) It is being phosphorylated d) It is forming hydrogen bonds

Answer 1

Answer: When aspartate is transformed into oxaloacetate, the 2nd carbon from the top (alpha-carbon) is not undergoing any of the mentioned processes. It remains as it is, i.e., it is not being phosphorylated, oxidized, or reduced, and it is not forming hydrogen bonds.

The 3rd carbon from the top (beta-carbon) of aspartate is being oxidized to a carbonyl group in oxaloacetate. Therefore, the correct answer for the 3rd carbon is option (a) It is being oxidized.