Question

Which statement regarding glycolysis is true?

1. Glycolysis yields three pyruvic acid molecules from one six-carbon glucose molecule.
2. Glycolysis occurs in the mitochondria in the cell.
3. When oxygen is limited in the cell, pyruvic acid is converted to lactic acid.
4. Glycolysis yields four ATP molecules from one six-carbon glucose molecule.

Answer 1

The true statement is 4. Glycolysis yields four ATP molecules from one six-carbon glucose molecule.

Step-by-step explanation:

Glycolysis starts with glucose and ends with two pyruvate molecules, a total of four ATP molecules and two molecules of NADH. Two ATP molecules were used in the first half of the pathway to prepare the six-carbon ring for cleavage, so the cell has a net gain of two ATP molecules and 2 NADH molecules for its use. If the cell cannot catabolize the pyruvate molecules further, it will harvest only two ATP molecules from one molecule of glucose.

Mature mammalian red blood cells do not have mitochondria and thus are not capable aerobic respiration the process in which organisms convert energy in the presence of oxygen-and glycolysis is their sole source of ATP. If glycolysis is interrupted, these cells lose their ability to maintain their sodium-potassium pumps, and eventually, they die.