The metabolic process of glycolysis is a fundamental pathway in cellular respiration, primarily responsible for the breakdown of glucose into pyruvate. This occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and involves several enzymatic reactions that convert glucose into pyruvate while producing a net gain of ATP and NADH.
A key regulatory step in glycolysis involves the enzyme phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1), which is influenced by various molecules. The activity of PFK-1 is allosterically activated by AMP and inhibited by ATP and citrate. Understanding these allosteric interactions is crucial for grasping how cells regulate energy production.
Which of the following statements correctly describes the functional role of AMP in the glycolytic pathway?