Arsenate (AsO43-) closely resembles Pi in structure and reactivity. In the reaction catalyzed by glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, arsenate can replace phosphate in attacking the energy-rich thioester intermediate. The product of this reaction, 1-arseno - 3-phosphoglycerate, is unstable. It and other acyl arsenates are rapidly and spontaneously hydrolyzed. What is the effect of arsenate on energy generation in a cell?

The effect of arsenic poisoning result in the loss of ATP molecules.

Explanation:

Arsenate structurally resembles the phosphate group. In the reaction catalyzed by glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, arsenate can replace the phosphate group by attacking the energy rich thioester intermediate resulting in the formation of 1-arseno-3-phosphoglycerate which is unstable and undergo hydrolysis to form 3-phosphoglycerate.

As a result the glycolytic pathway continues but the ATP that is normally generated from 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate by substrate lebel phosphorylation is lost due to the interference of arsenate.

Arsenite is a derivative of arsenate that interacts with lipoic acid coenzyme of pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme thus blocking the formation of acetyl CoA which ultimately leads to loss of ATP molecules.