The end product of glycolysis is -

Options

A. pyruvate
B. The starting point for TCA cycle
C. The starting point for fermentation
D. All

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Glycolysis**: Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose (a six-carbon sugar) into pyruvate (a three-carbon compound). This process occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell.

2. **Input of Glycolysis**: The starting molecule for glycolysis is one molecule of glucose, which contains six carbon atoms.

3. **Process of Glycolysis**: Glycolysis consists of a series of ten enzymatic reactions that break down glucose into two molecules of pyruvate. During this process, energy is released and captured in the form of ATP and NADH.

4. **End Product of Glycolysis**: The end product of glycolysis is two molecules of pyruvate. Each pyruvate molecule contains three carbon atoms.

5. **Fate of Pyruvate**: After glycolysis, the pyruvate can enter the TCA cycle (Krebs cycle) if oxygen is present, indicating aerobic respiration. If oxygen is absent, pyruvate undergoes fermentation, which occurs in the cytoplasm.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the end product of glycolysis is pyruvate, and specifically, two molecules of pyruvate are produced from one molecule of glucose.

**Final Answer**: The end product of glycolysis is pyruvate.

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