Where in the Cell Does Glycolysis Occur?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 05, 2023

Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol (cytoplasm) of the cell. Glycolysis is the first of the three metabolic processes that make up cellular respiration. Cellular respiration produces the adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, used by cells for energy.

Cellular respiration occurs over three processes:

Glycolysis
Krebs cycle
Oxidative phosphorylation

Glycolysis is a 10-step process, with each step being catalyzed by a specific enzyme. It does not need oxygen. Glucose (C₆) is broken down to produce two pyruvate (C₃) molecules. In addition, glycolysis results in two NADH molecules and 2 ATP molecules.

The two pyruvate molecules move into a mitochondrian to be converted into acetyl. The rest of cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondrian.