Glycolysis

Glycolysis is a term referring to a series of biochemical reactions by which a molecule of glucose is oxidized to two molecules of pyruvic acid. In addition to the conversion of glucose to pyruvic acid, two molecules of oxidized NAD are reduced, two molecules of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) are phosphorylated to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules, and two molecules of water and two protons (H+) are produced.

Related Topics:
Biochemical - Reactions - Molecule - Glucose - Oxidized - Pyruvic acid - NAD - Adenosine diphosphate - Phosphorylated - Adenosine triphosphate - Water - Proton

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Glycolysis is the initial process of many pathways of carbohydrate catabolism, and serves two principal functions: generation of high-energy ATP molecules, and production of a variety of 6- or 3-carbon intermediate metabolites which may be removed at various steps in the process for other intracellular purposes. Glycolysis is one of the most universal metabolic processes known, and occurs (with minor variations) in many types of cells in nearly all types of organisms from bacteria to plants to animals and humans. Although glycolysis produces less energy per glucose molecule than complete aerobic oxidation, it can occur at great speed and is anaerobic (i.e., it does not require oxygen).

Related Topics:
Pathways - Carbohydrate - Catabolism - Metabolic - Cell - Bacteria - Plant - Animal - Oxygen

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The most common and well-known form of glycolysis is the Embden-Meyerhof pathway, initially elucidated by Gustav Embden and Otto Meyerhof. The term can be taken to include alternative pathways, such as the Entner-Doudoroff Pathway. However, glycolysis will be used here as a synonym for the Embden-Meyerhof pathway.

Related Topics:
Embden-Meyerhof pathway - Gustav Embden - Otto Meyerhof - Entner-Doudoroff Pathway

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