Phosphorylase breaks bonds using what type of molecule?

Phosphorylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of glycogen into glucose-1-phosphate by cleaving the α-1,4-glycosidic bonds. This reaction utilizes inorganic phosphate to add a phosphate group to glucose during the process of glycogenolysis. The addition of inorganic phosphate to the glucose molecule allows for the release of glucose-1-phosphate, which can then be converted into glucose-6-phosphate and eventually utilized for energy production or other metabolic pathways.

In contrast, water, ATP, and NADH do not participate in this specific enzymatic reaction as substrates or direct reactants. While water is involved in hydrolysis reactions, it is not the reaction environment for phosphorylase. ATP serves a different role in cellular metabolism, typically in energy transfer and phosphorylation reactions rather than in breaking glycogen down directly. NADH is primarily a coenzyme involved in oxidation-reduction reactions, aiding in cellular respiration and energy production but not in the action of breaking down glycogen. Thus, inorganic phosphate is the correct molecule that phosphorylase uses to break the bonds during glycogen breakdown.