Glycolysis

Glycolysis is the process by which one molecule of glucose is converted into two molecules of pyruvate, two hydrogen ions and two molecules of water. Through this process, the 'high energy' molecules of ATP and NADH are synthesized. The pyruvate molecules then proceed to the link reaction, where acetyl-CoA is produced.

Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and serves as the initial step in the breakdown of glucose for energy production. It is a universal pathway found in nearly all organisms. Glycolysis involves a series of enzymatic reactions that convert glucose, a six-carbon sugar, into two molecules of pyruvate, a three-carbon compound.

 

The pathway can be divided into two phases: the energy investment phase and the energy generation phase. In the energy investment phase, glucose is phosphorylated twice and then split into two three-carbon molecules. This process requires the input of ATP. In the energy generation phase, the three-carbon molecules are further metabolized to produce ATP and NADH, a molecule involved in cellular energy transfer.

 

Overall, glycolysis yields a net gain of two ATP molecules and two molecules of NADH for each glucose molecule processed. The pyruvate produced can either enter aerobic respiration if oxygen is available, or undergo fermentation in the absence of oxygen.

 

For better understanding, students must watch the following videos

 

https://youtu.be/DMoFq3b2Lis

 

https://youtu.be/hDq1rhUkV-g

 

https://youtu.be/YHKIlTiSodk

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1606630953-1603015723-glycolysis-new.ppt (1.29 MB )