, BLG1501 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2025 - DUE 5 September 2025 ; 100% correct
solutions and explanations.
QUESTION 1
1.1 Why ATP is required for the preparatory steps of glycolysis (4
marks)
ATP provides energy to initiate glycolysis by making glucose
more reactive.
In the preparatory (investment) phase, 2 ATP molecules are
consumed.
These ATP molecules phosphorylate glucose and fructose-6-
phosphate, forming glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-1,6-
bisphosphate.
This phosphorylation traps glucose inside the cell and destabilises
it, allowing it to be split into two 3-carbon molecules in the next
steps.
➡️ In short: ATP is needed to prime glucose with phosphate groups,
making it unstable and reactive enough for breakdown into pyruvate.
1.2 Phases of mitosis in an animal cell (2 chromosomes) (20 marks)
Phases to draw and label:
1. Prophase
o Chromosomes condense and become visible (each as two
sister chromatids joined at centromere).
o Nuclear membrane starts to disappear.
Semester 2 2025 - DUE 5 September 2025 ; 100% correct
solutions and explanations.
QUESTION 1
1.1 Why ATP is required for the preparatory steps of glycolysis (4
marks)
ATP provides energy to initiate glycolysis by making glucose
more reactive.
In the preparatory (investment) phase, 2 ATP molecules are
consumed.
These ATP molecules phosphorylate glucose and fructose-6-
phosphate, forming glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-1,6-
bisphosphate.
This phosphorylation traps glucose inside the cell and destabilises
it, allowing it to be split into two 3-carbon molecules in the next
steps.
➡️ In short: ATP is needed to prime glucose with phosphate groups,
making it unstable and reactive enough for breakdown into pyruvate.
1.2 Phases of mitosis in an animal cell (2 chromosomes) (20 marks)
Phases to draw and label:
1. Prophase
o Chromosomes condense and become visible (each as two
sister chromatids joined at centromere).
o Nuclear membrane starts to disappear.
