Glycolysis happens in the cytoplasm of the cell. It takes a glucose molecule (C6<\/sub>H12<\/sub>O6<\/sub>) and reacts it to two pyruvic acid (C3<\/sub>H4<\/sub>O3<\/sub>) molecules. The process involves inputs and outputs of water and other species, which is why the equation doesn’t balance:<\/p>\n C6<\/sub>H12<\/sub>O6<\/sub> \u2192 2C3<\/sub>H4<\/sub>O3<\/sub> + 2ATP<\/p>\n The mechanism is actually quite complex; its important concept for high school biology is the equation above.<\/p>\n Interestingly, glycolysis requires an investment of two ATP (energy units), but yields four; hence, the net gain is two ATP.<\/p>\n Putting the process in perspective, the full reaction of glucose to produce CO2<\/sub> and H2<\/sub>O yields 36 to 38 ATP.<\/p>\n Glycolysis is the beginning of fermentation.<\/p>\n Source:<\/p>\n www.brynmawr.edu<\/a><\/p>\n Mader, Sylvia S. Inquiry into Life<\/u>, 9th ed. Toronto: McGraw-Hill, 2000.<\/p>\n newworldencyclopedia.org<\/a><\/p>\n