What is the end product of glycolysis?

The end product of glycolysis is pyruvate, which is a crucial intermediate in cellular metabolism. Glycolysis is the biochemical pathway that breaks down one molecule of glucose (a six-carbon sugar) into two molecules of pyruvate (each with three carbons) through a series of enzymatic reactions.

This process occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell and does not require oxygen, making it an anaerobic pathway. During glycolysis, glucose undergoes several transformations, producing a net gain of ATP molecules and NADH, which are important for energy production and electron transport, respectively.

Once glycolysis is complete and pyruvate is formed, it can either continue into the aerobic pathway of cellular respiration if oxygen is available or be converted to lactate in anaerobic conditions, depending on the needs of the cell and the availability of oxygen. This flexibility in metabolic pathways demonstrates the importance of pyruvate as a central metabolite in energy production.