Final answer:
If glycolysis stopped, there would be a decrease in glucose breakdown, leading to a chain reaction that prevents the production of pyruvate, ATP, and reduced forms of electron carriers needed for further cellular respiration. This halt in energy production would severely impair cell function and lead to cell death, especially in cells reliant solely on glycolysis for ATP, like red blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
If glycolysis stopped, the outcome would be decreased glucose breakdown. Glycolysis is a critical step in cellular respiration where glucose is broken down into pyruvate. This process results in the production of a net gain of two molecules of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) which is essential for energy in cells. Without glycolysis, pyruvate would not be produced, which means that subsequent pathways such as the Krebs cycle and the Electron Transport Chain would also be hindered, leading to a decrease in carbon dioxide release.
If glycolysis were interrupted, it could potentially lead to anaerobic conditions where the muscle cells might rely on it solely for ATP production. However, in the absence of glycolysis, ATP production would be halted as glycolysis is the only pathway that produces ATP anaerobically, leading to a critical energy crisis within a cell.