Final answer:
Glycolysis is the first step in the breakdown of glucose, occurring in the cytoplasm of cells. It produces pyruvate and ATP, and can be anaerobic. Pyruvate molecules generated in glycolysis can enter the Krebs cycle for further energy production.
Step-by-step explanation:
Glycolysis is the first step in the breakdown of glucose to extract energy for cellular metabolism. It occurs in the cytoplasm of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. During glycolysis, one glucose molecule is broken down into two pyruvate molecules and two ATP molecules are produced. This process can occur in the absence of oxygen, making it anaerobic. The pyruvate molecules can then enter the Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle) in the mitochondria for further energy production through oxidative phosphorylation.