Answer:
The phrase that best describes the role of fermentation is; "it converts glucose into pyruvate and NADH".
Glycolysis is the process in which glucose is broken down. It occurs under anaerobic conditions to yield 2 ATP molecules in the process.
During fermentation, glycolysis continues in the absence of oxygen hence ATP is produced as follows; Glucose + 2 NAD+ + 2 ADP + 2 Pi --> 2 Pyruvate + 2 NADH + 2 H+ + 2 ATP + 2 H2O. Glucose is converted into pyruvate and NADH. Pi refers to a phosphate group.