Questions and Answers
What occurs during the second half of glycolysis?
ATP is made.
How does nearly all organisms on earth carrying out some form of glycolysis support the assertion that glycolysis is one of the oldest metabolic pathways?
If glycolysis evolved relatively late, it likely would not be as universal in organisms as it is. It probably evolved in very primitive organisms and persisted, with the addition of other pathways of carbohydrate metabolism that evolved later.
Why do all cells need an energy source, and what would happen if glycolysis were blocked in a red blood cell?
All cells must consume energy to carry out basic functions, such as pumping ions across membranes. A red blood cell would lose its membrane potential if glycolysis were blocked, and it would eventually die.
What is aerobic respiration?
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What does anaerobic refer to?
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What is glycolysis?
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What is isomerase?
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What is pyruvate?
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Study Notes
Glycolysis Overview
- Glycolysis occurs in two phases; the second half is characterized by ATP production.
- It is a universal metabolic pathway found in nearly all organisms, indicating it may have evolved in primitive life forms and persisted through evolution.
Energy Needs of Cells
- All cells require energy for essential functions such as ion transport across membranes.
- If glycolysis is inhibited in red blood cells, they lose membrane potential, leading to cell death.
Aerobic and Anaerobic Processes
- Aerobic respiration utilizes oxygen to convert energy, whereas anaerobic processes occur without oxygen.
- Glycolysis is the initial step in both aerobic and anaerobic pathways.
Key Molecules and Enzymes
- Glycolysis breaks down glucose into two three-carbon molecules, generating ATP and NADH in the process.
- Pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis, can be further processed into acetyl CoA for the citric acid cycle under aerobic conditions.
- Isomerase is an enzyme that converts a molecule into its isomer, playing a crucial role in metabolic pathways.
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Description
Test your knowledge on glycolysis with these flashcards covering key concepts and definitions from Biology Chapter 7.2. Learn about the production of ATP and the evolutionary significance of glycolysis across various organisms.
