Question

Nearly all organisms on Earth carry out some form of glycolysis. Provide an accurate argument that explains how this fact either supports or refutes the assertion that glycolysis is one of the oldest metabolic pathways.

a) Supports, as glycolysis is essential for survival
b) Supports, as glycolysis is energy-efficient
c) Refutes, as glycolysis is energy-consuming
d) Refutes, as glycolysis is a recent evolutionary development

Answer 1

Nearly all organisms carrying out glycolysis supports the assertion that it is one of the oldest metabolic pathways because it is essential for survival, energy-efficient, and a universal metabolic process.

Step-by-step explanation:

Glycolysis is the most common pathway for the catabolism of glucose in bacteria, eukaryotes, and most archaea. The fact that nearly all organisms carry out some form of glycolysis supports the assertion that it is one of the oldest metabolic pathways for several reasons:

1. Glycolysis is essential for survival: Glycolysis is the primary source of energy production in cells and provides precursor molecules for cellular metabolism. It is a fundamental process that enables organisms to generate ATP, which is crucial for various cellular functions and survival.
2. Glycolysis is energy-efficient: Although glycolysis itself does not require oxygen, it can be coupled with additional metabolic processes that are either aerobic or anaerobic. This flexibility makes glycolysis an energy-efficient pathway that can be utilized by organisms in different environments and conditions.
3. Glycolysis is a universal metabolic process: The fact that glycolysis is present in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms suggests that it predates the divergence between these two groups. This universality across diverse organisms further supports the idea that glycolysis is an ancient metabolic pathway.