8.2.1

Glycolysis

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Glycolysis

Respiration produces ATP and can be either aerobic or anaerobic. Glycolysis is the first stage in both these processes. Glycolysis happens in the cytoplasm and is an anaerobic process.

Illustrative background for PhosphorylationIllustrative background for Phosphorylation ?? "content

Phosphorylation

  • The first step in glycolysis involves the phosphorylation of glucose to glucose phosphate using one molecule of ATP.
  • Glucose phosphate is phosphorylated by another molecule of ATP to hexose bisphosphate (a six-carbon molecule)
  • Hexose bisphosphate splits into two molecules of triose phosphate (TP).
Illustrative background for OxidationIllustrative background for Oxidation ?? "content

Oxidation

  • The two molecules of TP are oxidised to pyruvate (another three-carbon molecule) in a multi-step reaction.
  • A single TP molecule produces two molecules of ATP and one molecule of reduced NAD (NADH) in this process.
Illustrative background for Net gainIllustrative background for Net gain ?? "content

Net gain

  • 2 ATP molecules.
  • 2 NADH molecules.

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