Glycolysis is a part of cellular respiration that breaks the glucose molecule down to what? A. Acetyl CoA B. Pyruvic acid C. FADH2 D. ATP and NADH

Breakdown of the Problem

Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvic acid during cellular respiration. We need to determine the product of glycolysis from the given options.

Relevant Concepts

1. Glycolysis is the first step of cellular respiration where one glucose molecule (C₆H₁₂O₆) is converted into two molecules of pyruvic acid (C₃H₄O₃).
2. It occurs in the cytoplasm and involves a series of enzymatic reactions.

Analysis and Detail

• Glycolysis is an anaerobic process that consists of ten enzymatic reactions.
• One molecule of glucose is split into two molecules of pyruvate (or pyruvic acid).
• During this process, a net gain of 2 ATP and 2 NADH molecules occurs.

Verify and Summarize

Given that glycolysis results in the breakdown of glucose primarily to pyruvic acid, we can confirm that option B is the correct answer.

Final Answer

B. Pyruvic acid