Which metabolic pathway is common pathway to both anaerobic and aerobic matabolism?

Options

A. TCA cycle
B. ETS
C. EMP pathway
D. Kreb's cycle

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Metabolic Pathways**: Begin by recognizing the difference between anaerobic and aerobic metabolism. Anaerobic metabolism occurs without oxygen, while aerobic metabolism requires oxygen.

2. **Identifying Common Pathways**: The question asks for a metabolic pathway that is common to both anaerobic and aerobic metabolism.

3. **Glycolysis Overview**: The common pathway is Glycolysis. Glycolysis is the process of breaking down glucose into pyruvate. The term "glycolysis" can be broken down into "glyco" (meaning glucose) and "lysis" (meaning breakdown).

4. **Steps of Glycolysis**: Glycolysis consists of 10 enzymatic steps that convert one molecule of glucose (a 6-carbon compound) into two molecules of pyruvate (a 3-carbon compound). This process occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell.

5. **EMP Pathway**: Glycolysis is also referred to as the EMP pathway, named after the scientists who discovered it: Embden, Meyerhof, and Parnas.

6. **Exclusion of Other Pathways**: Other pathways like the TCA cycle, EDC, and Krebs cycle are not common to both anaerobic and aerobic respiration because they occur in the mitochondria, which require oxygen.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the metabolic pathway that is common to both anaerobic and aerobic metabolism is Glycolysis (or the EMP pathway).

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