Question

If cells that cannot carry out fermentation were grown in anaerobic conditions, at which step would glycolysis halt?

Answer 1

If cells incapable of fermentation were grown in anaerobic conditions, glycolysis would stop at the point where NAD+ is required, as this is essential to continue the process.

Step-by-step explanation:

If cells that cannot carry out fermentation were grown in anaerobic conditions, glycolysis would halt at the step where NAD+ is required to accept electrons, resulting from the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase reaction.

This is because the conversion of NADH back to NAD+ is critical for the continuation of glycolysis. Without oxygen or an alternative pathway such as fermentation to regenerate NAD+, the cell would accumulate NADH and be unable to sustain glycolysis, thus leading to an energy deficit as glycolysis would slow down or stop, preventing the cell from producing additional ATP from glucose breakdown.