The Process Of Glycolysis

GLYCOLYSIS

Glycolysis means "splitting sugars" and it is a process that release energy present within sugars. In glycolysis, glucose a six carbon sugar is split into the two molecules of the three-carbon sugar called pyruvate. It is a multi-step process that yields two molecules of ATP, two "high energy" electron carrying molecules of NADH and two molecules of pyruvate. The process of glycolysis can occur with or without oxygen. Glycolysis is the first stage of cellular respiration in the presence of oxygen while in the absence of oxygen, glycolysis allows the cells to make little amount of ATP through the process called fermentation [Bailey, Regina. "10 Steps of Glycolysis"].

Site of Glycolysis

Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of all the cells of the body. This process takes place in the cytosol of the cell's cytoplasm. Meanwhile, the next stage of cellular respiration or glycolysis called as the citric acid cycle occurs in the matrix of cell mitochondria [Anderson, Douglas M., ed. (2003)].

1. Anaerobic Glycolysis: It occurs when there is lack of oxygen. Lactate is the final product along with the production of two ATP molecules.

2. Aerobic Glycolysis: It occurs when there is plenty of oxygen. Pyruvate is the final product along with the production of Eight ATP molecules [Romano, AH; Conway, T (1996)].

Phases of Glycolysis

Glycolysis is also called as an extra mitochondrial pathway and it is carried by a group of eleven enzymes. Glucose is converted to pyruvate in 10 steps by glycolysis. The glycolytic pathway can be divided into two