Question

Give an account of Glycolysis. Where does it occur? What is the end product? Trace the fate of these products in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

Answer 1

Glycolysis:

Glycolysis (glycos - glucose and lysis - breakdown) is the process of partial oxidation of glucose resulting in the formation of two molecules of pyruvic acid.

Site of glycolysis in the cell:

Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of all plant and animal cells

End product of glycolysis:

The end product of glycolysis is pyruvic acid. Glucose (6C) breaks down into 2 molecules of Pyruvic acid (3C).

Fate of pyruvic acid in aerobic respiration:

In aerobic respiration, pyruvic acid is converted into acetyl $CoA$ in the mitochondrial matrix. Acetyl $CoA$, then enters the kreb's cycle for further oxidation. The carbons of acetyl $CoA$ are released as $C{O}_2$

Fate of pyruvic acid in anaerobic respiration:

In anaerobic respiration, pyruvic acid has different fates in different organisms.

• In Yeast, pyruvic acid gets converted into ethanol and CO2 .
• In some bacteria and animal skeletal muscles, pyruvic acid is converted to lactic acid