Glycolosis
In Glycolysis, the first part of Cellular Respiration, glucose is broken down into two molecules of a 3-carbon molecule called pyruvate. This creates 2 ATP, 2 NADH molecules and 2 water molecules. NADH is used by cells to create ATP. This occurs in the cytosol of the cell and can proceed with or without oxygen. In the first stage, energy is used to phosphorylate the 6-carbon glucose molecule. Phosphorylation is the process of taking a phosphate form ATP, turning it into ADP, and adding it to the glucose mole. Phosphate makes the molecule more reactive. The position of glucose is changed so that it becomes fructose. An enzyme cuts the molecule apart, producing two pyruvate. The phosphate groups are removed and these pyruvate molecules are ready to enter the Krebs Cycle.
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