What is the Role of Hexokinase in Energy Production?
Hexokinase is crucial for energy production because it initiates glycolysis, the process by which glucose is broken down to produce ATP. The phosphorylation of glucose is the first step in a series of reactions that ultimately lead to the production of pyruvate, NADH, and ATP. Without hexokinase, cells would be unable to efficiently metabolize glucose, leading to energy deficits.