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.