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Glycolysis Occurs in Which Part of the Cell?

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 9th, 2023

The breakdown of glucose into pyruvic acid is known as Glycolysis. It occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. The word originated from the Greek words glycos for sugar, and lysis for splitting. The Gustav Embden, Otto Meyerhof, and J. Parnas-proposed glycolysis pathway are also known as the EMP pathway.

Table of content

1. Part of the Cell where Glycolysis Occurs
2. Facts on Glycolysis
3. Glycolysis occurs in which part of the cell?

Part of the Cell where Glycolysis Occurs

It is the only mechanism of respiration in anaerobic organisms. All living things undergo glycolysis, which occurs in the cell’s cytoplasm. This reaction involves the partial oxidation of glucose to produce two molecules of pyruvic acid.

This glucose is produced by plants either from storage carbohydrates or from the final product of photosynthesis, sucrose.
The invertase enzyme breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose, and these two monosaccharides easily enter the glycolytic pathway.
Gustav Embden, Otto Meyerhof, and J. Parnas gave the scheme of glycolysis. It is the only process in the respiration of anaerobic organisms.
In the process of glycolysis, glucose undergoes partial oxidation to form two molecules of pyruvic acid.
In this, a chain of ten reactions, under the control of different enzymes, takes place to produce pyruvate from glucose.
There is utilization or synthesis of ATP in the various steps of glycolysis.

Facts on Glycolysis

The key details related to the glycolysis have been illustrated below:

The key product of glycolysis is Pyruvic acid.
Different cells handle pyruvic acid produced by glycolysis in three major ways: lactic acid fermentation, alcoholic fermentation, and aerobic respiration.
Pyruvate, the final product of glycolysis, is transported from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria for aerobic respiration.

Summary: