A key biochemical pathway shared by most forms of life, the pathway that splits a 6-carbon glucose molecule into two 3-carbon pyruvate molecules, is called .

The key biochemical pathway that splits a 6-carbon glucose molecule into two 3-carbon pyruvate molecules is called glycolysis. Glycolysis is a fundamental metabolic process that occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and does not require oxygen. It is the first step in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration, serving as an essential pathway for energy production. During glycolysis, glucose is broken down through a series of enzymatic reactions, resulting in the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which serves as a primary energy currency in cells, and NADH, which is used in further energy-producing processes. This pathway is critical for all forms of life, highlighting its evolutionary significance.