What is the delta G for the reaction 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate + ADP yields 3-phosphoglycerate plus ATP?

In biochemical reactions, the change in Gibbs free energy (delta G) indicates whether a reaction can occur spontaneously. A negative delta G (less than 0) suggests that the reaction releases free energy, making it a spontaneous process under standard conditions.

In the reaction where 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate and ADP yield 3-phosphoglycerate and ATP, this transformation is part of cellular metabolism, specifically in glycolysis. The conversion of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate to 3-phosphoglycerate is an energetically favorable reaction because it involves the transfer of a phosphate group to ADP, synthesizing ATP – a high-energy molecule.

This process is coupled with the exergonic reaction of breaking down 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate. The formation of ATP, alongside the movement towards a product with lower energy state (3-phosphoglycerate), results in a net release of energy, leading to a negative delta G. Thus, since the reaction proceeds spontaneously in the direction indicated, the delta G for this reaction is indeed less than 0.