Question

Glycolysis proceeds when the intracellular concentration of ATP is low, which provides ATP to drive cellular reactions.

a) True
b) False

Answer 1

The statement is true; glycolysis does proceed when ATP levels are low, providing a net gain of ATP to support cellular functions, and it is an anaerobic pathway that takes place in the cytoplasm of cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement 'Glycolysis proceeds when the intracellular concentration of ATP is low, which provides ATP to drive cellular reactions' is true. Glycolysis is a catabolic process in which glucose is broken down in the absence of oxygen. During glycolysis, two molecules of ATP are used to split glucose into two three-carbon molecules called pyruvates, leading to a net gain of ATP.

This process takes place in the cytoplasm and does not require oxygen, making it an anaerobic pathway. The ATP produced by glycolysis is used to fuel various cellular processes, especially when the level of ATP within the cell is low. Furthermore, glycolysis can be seen as an evolutionary conserved pathway, as nearly all living organisms carry it out as part of their metabolism, signifying its fundamental importance in energy production.

Answer 2

Glycolysis is an anaerobic process that generates ATP when cellular ATP levels are low, thereby providing energy for cellular reactions. It's a metabolic pathway present in nearly all organisms, indicating its evolutionary importance. The statement in question is true.

Step-by-step explanation:

Glycolysis is a crucial metabolic pathway that takes place in the cytoplasm of cells. When the intracellular concentration of ATP is low, glycolysis proceeds to produce ATP, which is necessary for various cellular functions. The process involves the breakdown of glucose into pyruvate, yielding a net gain of two ATP molecules. This pathway is anaerobic, meaning it does not require oxygen to proceed.

During glycolysis, a molecule of glucose is initially phosphorylated by ATP, which is an example of a reaction where the exergonic release of energy from ATP hydrolysis is coupled with the endergonic process of adding a phosphate group to glucose. This not only helps to regulate glycolysis according to the cell's energy needs but also highlights ATP's role in driving metabolic reactions.

The fact that nearly all living organisms carry out glycolysis suggests it is an ancient and evolutionary conserved pathway. Despite the initial investment of two ATP molecules, glycolysis results in the formation of four ATP molecules, leading to a net gain and providing energy when cellular ATP levels are low. Therefore, the statement that glycolysis proceeds when the intracellular concentration of ATP is low to provide ATP is True.