Question

In glycolysis, one moleule of glucose containing six carbons is converted to two molecules of _______ containing three carbons each. This reaction also yeilds two molecules of ________ and two molecules of ________.

Answer 1

In glycolysis, one molecule of glucose is converted into two molecules of pyruvate, and the reaction yields two molecules each of ATP and NADH as by-products.

Step-by-step explanation:

Glycolysis is a fundamental biochemical pathway that serves as the initial stage of cellular respiration, breaking down one molecule of glucose with six carbons into two molecules of pyruvate, each containing three carbons. This process occurs in three main phases: the investment phase, the cleavage phase, and the harvest phase.

In the investment phase, two molecules of ATP are utilized to activate glucose, resulting in its conversion to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. The subsequent cleavage phase involves the breakdown of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate into two three-carbon molecules, each of which is a precursor to pyruvate.

The harvest phase is marked by the generation of energy-rich molecules. During glycolysis, four molecules of ATP are produced, but two are consumed in the investment phase, resulting in a net gain of two ATP molecules per glucose molecule. Additionally, two molecules of NADH are formed as a result of the reduction of NAD⁺ during glycolysis.

At the conclusion of glycolysis, one molecule of glucose has been converted into two molecules of pyruvate, each accompanied by a net production of two ATP and two NADH molecules. The pyruvate produced can serve as a substrate for subsequent stages of cellular respiration, ultimately yielding a considerable amount of energy for the cell. Glycolysis is a pivotal metabolic pathway, essential for energy production in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.