What is the Difference Between Glucose 6 Phosphate and Fructose 6 Phosphate?

Glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate are both glucose sugars with phosphate groups attached, but they have different structures and roles in cellular metabolism. The key difference between the two is the location of the phosphate group on the sugar molecule:

• Glucose 6-phosphate: This molecule has a phosphate group attached to the 6th carbon of the glucose molecule. It is produced through the action of enzymes like glucokinase or hexokinase IV. Glucose 6-phosphate plays a central role in carbohydrate metabolism, as it can be directed to various pathways, including glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, glycogen synthesis, and de novo lipogenesis.
• Fructose 6-phosphate: This molecule has a phosphate group attached to the 6th carbon of the fructose molecule. It is a derivative of fructose and is produced by the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI). Fructose 6-phosphate is involved in the second step of glycolysis.

In summary, the main difference between glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate is the location of the phosphate group on the sugar molecule and their involvement in different steps of cellular metabolism.

Comparative Table: Glucose 6 Phosphate vs Fructose 6 Phosphate

Here is a table comparing the differences between glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate:

Glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate are both important sugar compounds in cellular metabolism. The key difference between the two is that glucose 6-phosphate has a phosphate group attached to the 6th carbon of the glucose molecule, while fructose 6-phosphate has a phosphate group attached to the same position in the fructose molecule. Additionally, glucose 6-phosphate can be converted to fructose 6-phosphate by an enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI).