Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate, releasing energy and producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADH. It occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and does not require oxygen, making it an anaerobic process.
Related terms
ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy carrier in cells, produced during processes like glycolysis to power cellular activities.
The end product of glycolysis, which can be further metabolized under aerobic conditions through the Krebs cycle or fermented anaerobically in certain conditions.
Anaerobic process: A metabolic process that occurs in the absence of oxygen, such as glycolysis, allowing cells to produce energy without it