Glycolysis

Definition

Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, yielding ATP and NADH. It occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and does not require oxygen.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Glycolysis consists of 10 enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
2. The net gain from glycolysis per molecule of glucose is 2 ATP and 2 NADH.
3. It produces two molecules of pyruvate from one molecule of glucose.
4. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
5. The process can occur under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Review Questions

• What are the end products of glycolysis?
• How many ATP molecules are produced net during glycolysis?
• In which part of the cell does glycolysis occur?

Related terms

Fermentation: A metabolic process that converts pyruvate to lactic acid or ethanol under anaerobic conditions.

Citric Acid Cycle: A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA.

Electron Transport Chain: A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors via redox reactions, generating ATP.