NAFC Nutrition Coach Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

Glycolysis is the stage of cellular respiration that occurs in the cytosol, which is the liquid part of the cytoplasm. This process is crucial because it breaks down glucose into pyruvate while producing a small amount of ATP and NADH in the absence of oxygen. Glycolysis functions anaerobically, meaning it can proceed without the need for oxygen, which is beneficial for cells in low-oxygen environments.

The process consists of several key steps, beginning with the phosphorylation of glucose to trap it inside the cell and prepare it for breakdown. The end products of glycolysis are ultimately used in further stages of cellular respiration, particularly if oxygen is available, transitioning into oxidative phosphorylation or the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria.

The other stages of cellular respiration—Krebs Cycle, Electron Transport Chain, and Oxidative Phosphorylation—occur in the mitochondria of the cell and rely on the initial products from glycolysis. Therefore, recognizing that glycolysis is the only stage occurring in the cytosol highlights its foundational role in the overall process of cellular energy production.