Question

why is glycolysis refered to as the common pathway for both aerobic and anaerobic respiration

Answer 1

$\small\orange {\sf{Bonjour\ Mate!}}$

☆$\small\green {\sf{Answer }}$☆

Glycolysis is common to both aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration. In the first step each glucose molecule (6 carbon molecule) is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate (3carbon molecule) by the process of glycolysis ,the process occurs in cytoplasm of the cell and does not required the presence of oxygen . The further breakdown of pyruvate molecule depends upon the availability of oxygen .If sufficient oxygen is available then each of the pyruvate molecule enters mitochondria where it is completely oxidized to produce CO2 and H2O in three steps . This is called aerobic respiration .38 molecules of ATP are released per molecule of glucose as a result of aerobic respiration otherwise when sufficient oxygen is not available pyruvate does not enter mitochondria but is converted into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide .This is called anaerobic respiration and 2 molecules of ATP are released per molecule of glucose as a result of anaerobic respiration.