In: Biology
Why is glycolysis critical for the energy metabolism of both aerobic and anaerobic organisms?
Aerobic respiration is The breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen whereas anaerobic respiration is The breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen. But the consequence of respiration is that glucose cannot be directly catabolised into carbon dioxide and water. So it is always first converted into pyruvic acid and then depending upon the external conditions of the cell, the fate of the pyruvic acid is determined. Hence glycolysis is a very important process of both aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Before the actual process of aerobic or anaerobic respiration proceeds, glycolysis is carried by the cell. It is the partial oxidation of glucose into pyruvic acid. The further oxidation of pyruvate acid depends upon the availability of oxygen. It can either undergo aerobic respiration and produce carbon dioxide and water or it can undergo fermentation to produce lactic acid or alcohol along with carbon dioxide.
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