Glycolysis is a very important process that helps our cells get energy. It happens in a part of the cell called the cytoplasm and includes ten steps that are split into two main parts:

1. Energy Investment Phase

• Steps 1-5: In this part, glucose (which is a sugar made of 6 carbon atoms) is changed and broken into two molecules that each have 3 carbon atoms. This part needs energy; it uses 2 ATP molecules. You can think of this phase like starting a business: you need to spend some money up front to make a profit later!

2. Energy Payoff Phase

• Steps 6-10: In this part, the 3-carbon molecules turn into pyruvate, and energy is produced. This stage creates 4 ATP and 2 NADH molecules. After taking into account the energy used in the first phase, you end up with a gain of 2 ATP.

Why Is Glycolysis Important?

Glycolysis is the first step in how our cells breathe and make energy:

• Energy: It quickly produces ATP, which is super important for the cell’s activities.
• Metabolic Intermediates: The pyruvate made can go into the Krebs cycle to create even more energy, building on what we started with.
• Anaerobic Pathway: Glycolysis can work without oxygen, allowing cells to get energy even when there isn’t much oxygen available.

In simple terms, glycolysis sets the stage for how our cells turn food into energy that they can use!