Question

Summary of the ___ ____ of ____

Anaerobic cellular respiration
> Glycolysis in the cytosol
> Energy transferred to form 2 net ATP molecules and 2 NADH molecules
> If oxygen available, pyruvate enters mitochondrion

Answer 1

Glycolysis, the first stage in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration, occurs in the cytosol and breaks glucose into two pyruvate molecules, yielding a net gain of 2 ATP and 2 NADH molecules without requiring oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

Glycolysis is a critical first stage of cellular respiration where one glucose molecule is broken down into two pyruvate molecules. This process takes place in the cytosol of the cell and does not require oxygen, hence it is considered anaerobic. During glycolysis, a small investment of 2 ATP molecules is required, which results in the production of 4 ATP molecules, giving a net gain of 2 ATP molecules for the cell.

Additionally, 2 molecules of NADH are generated, which are energy-carrying molecules that can be used later in the cellular respiration process if oxygen is present. If there is no oxygen available, the pyruvate can be further processed by fermentation. The outcomes are crucial for the cell's energy needs and can lead to aerobic processes in the presence of oxygen, with pyruvate entering the mitochondrion to continue through the Krebs cycle, or remain in anaerobic conditions where the yield of ATP is considerably less than that of aerobic respiration.