Final answer:
Glycolysis is a crucial metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, generating a net gain of two ATP and NADH molecules, which are forms of energy the cell can use. It doesn't store glucose as triglycerides or glycogen, nor does it produce NADPH.
Step-by-step explanation:
The steps within the glycolysis pathway occur for several reasons, including converting glucose into energy in the form of NADH and ATP, and to make metabolites that can be used in biomass synthesis. During glycolysis, glucose undergoes a transformation through enzyme-catalyzed reactions, leading to the production of pyruvate, ATP, and NADH.
The initial phase requires an investment of two ATP molecules to modify the glucose molecule, which is then offset by the generation of four ATP molecules, resulting in a net gain of two ATP molecules. Glycolysis does not involve the storage of glucose as triglycerides or as glycogen, nor does it involve the conversion of glucose into NADPH.