Structures of Intermediates?

[DocPanda]

Do we need to memorize structures of intermediates? In one of Section Bank's solution, it says "you must recall structures and sequences of intermediates in metabolic pathways" or just knowing the number of C's each intermediate has good enough?

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[alpha-GTP]

I don't know if we necessarily need to do that, because it would be extremely low yield. I do remember seeing something in the section bank (or some other place, they are all a blur at this point) about an enzyme from the pentose phosphate pathway, of all things. While I could have theoretically memorized intermediates for the major pathways, that time would have been much better spent on a more high yield topic like enzyme kinetics. I think the main thing is to know the big picture (Glycolysis: glucose to pyruvate, 2 net ATP, 2 NADH, from here go to Krebs or fermentation). More specific details would most likely be given in the passage. The only time I can see a question asked about an intermediate would be in a free standing question, but I was willing to gamble on such specifics not coming up in the actual exam.

 

[aldol16]

You should know the structures well enough to be able to recognize them when given and to reason based on them (i.e. what aldolase does and why it does it). The central metabolic pathways of life are high yield. That's glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. I wouldn't bother much with PPP - just know what it does, what it makes, and in general, what it uses to make those things.