ELI5: glycolysis
// explanation
What is glycolysis?
Glycolysis is like breaking apart a sugar molecule (glucose) into smaller pieces so your cells can use the energy stored inside it [1][3]. Imagine you have a big toy and you break it apart to see what cool stuff is inside—that's basically what glycolysis does to glucose!
Why does your body do this?
Your cells need energy to do everything—move, think, and grow [2]. Glycolysis splits glucose into smaller pieces called pyruvates, and during this splitting, your cells capture energy that they can use right away [1][3].
What's cool about it?
Glycolysis is one of the oldest energy systems in living things because it works even when there's no oxygen around [2]. It's like having a backup battery that almost every living creature on Earth uses!
How does it help you?
When you eat food with carbohydrates, your body breaks down the glucose through glycolysis to power your muscles, your brain, and every other part of your body [3].
// sources
Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate and, in most organisms, occurs in the liquid part of cells (the cytosol).
Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway and an anaerobic energy source that has evolved in nearly all types of organisms.
Glycolysis is a series of reactions that extract energy from glucose by splitting it into two three-carbon molecules called pyruvates.
Aug 3, 2011 ... Stimulation of glycolysis promoted, while blockade of glycolytic enzyme activity blunted, reprogramming efficiency. Metaboproteomics ...
May 22, 2009 ... Most cancer cells instead rely on aerobic glycolysis, a phenomenon termed “the Warburg effect.” Aerobic glycolysis is an inefficient way to generate adenosine ...
Video by Dr Matt & Dr Mike
Video by MEDSimplified
Video by Amoeba Sisters
