When one molecule of glucose undergoes oxidation in glycolysis, it produces

Options

A. 2 molecules of pyruvic acid
B. 1 molecule of pyruvic acid
C. 2 molecules of `CO_2`
D. 2 molecules of `O_2`

Answer

To solve the question "When one molecule of glucose undergoes oxidation in glycolysis, it produces?", we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Glycolysis**: Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose (a 6-carbon sugar) into pyruvate through a series of enzymatic reactions. It occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell and is the first step in cellular respiration.

2. **Identify the Starting Material**: The process begins with one molecule of glucose (C6H12O6).

3. **Process of Glycolysis**: During glycolysis, glucose is broken down through a series of steps involving phosphorylation, cleavage, and oxidation. This process does not require oxygen (anaerobic).

4. **End Products of Glycolysis**: At the end of glycolysis, one molecule of glucose is converted into two molecules of pyruvate (C3H4O3). This is the key outcome of the glycolytic pathway.

5. **Evaluate the Options**:
- **Option 1**: 2 molecules of pyruvic acid - This is correct.
- **Option 2**: 1 molecule of pyruvic acid - This is incorrect.
- **Option 3**: 2 molecules of carbon dioxide - This is incorrect as carbon dioxide is produced in later stages of cellular respiration, not during glycolysis.
- **Option 4**: 2 molecules of oxygen - This is incorrect as oxygen is not a product of glycolysis.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, when one molecule of glucose undergoes oxidation in glycolysis, it produces **2 molecules of pyruvic acid**.

### Final Answer:
**2 molecules of pyruvic acid**

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