Evolution of Glycolysis
The first prokaryotes did not have access to a large supply of oxygen in the early Earth atmosphere, so they likely had to use glycolysis to create ATP. This assumption is supported by the evidence that the earliest bacteria fossils are thought to be older than the suggested time of development of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere. It is thought that because there was not much oxygen in the atmosphere during these early years, that glycolysis was used by almost all bacteria living at the time. Glycolysis is the most universal of the processes of Cellular Respiration, or is used by many living organisms. Without glycolysis, living organisms would not have the ability to engage in fermentation or begin the process of Cellular Respiration.
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This is a rock with ancient bacteria fossils engraved in it.
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