Elimination Reactions and Isomerization Reactions
Another class of reactions are elimination reactions. These involve the
elimination of atoms from a molecule and result in the formation of carbon-
carbon double bonds. Molecules that can be eliminated include, among others,
water, ammonia, and hydroxyls. Isomerization reactions involve
intramolecular shifting of hydrogen atoms. The products of an isomerization
reaction have the same atomic components but are found in a different
conformation.
Again, these descriptions of metabolic reactions are just simple introductions
so that we can use them in our discussion of glycolysis and the citric
acid cycle. The specifics of these reactions use organic chemistry that is
not covered here.
