Splitting stage

The splitting stage is the second phase in the process of glycolysis. This involves the actual splitting of a molecule of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (a 6 carbonmolecule), produced from the Investment Stage of glycolysis, to two 3 carbon molecules. These molecules are named glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. This catabolic reaction occurs in the presence of an enzyme or catalyst named aldose . Two interchangeable, 3 carbon molecules are formed which exist in an equilibrium. The equilibrium lies towards the ketose (sugar containing a ketone), the dihydroxyacetone phosphate, however the equilibrium can readily be shifted to produce the dldose (sugar containing an aldehyde), the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. This occurs easily because the aldoseis actually being used up in the Yield Stage to eventually generate Pyruvate .