Glycolysis is a ubiquitous metabolic pathway that breaks down sugars like glucose in the cytosol, producing ATP. Glucose is a six-carbon sugar that cells use for energy storage and as a starting material for many biosynthetic pathways. Pyruvate is the metabolite produced from glucose breakdown that links to the citric acid cycle and other pathways. Key molecules involved include NAD+, which transports electrons and hydrogen ions, and ATP, which cells use to store and transport chemical energy. Gluconeogenesis is the opposing pathway that generates glucose from non-carbohydrate sources.

1. Definitions for Glycolysis

5. NAD + (nicotine adenine dinucleotide) Activated carrier molecule that participates in an oxidation reaction by accepting a hydride ion (H-) from a donor molecule, thereby producing NADH. Widely used in the energy-producing breakdown of sugar molecules.

7. Gluconegenesis A metabolic pathway that results in the generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates such as lactate, glycerol, and glycogenic amino acids.