It is this energy that the cell must trap, in the form of ATP, in order to fuel its needs. ATP, or adenosine tripohsphate, is often referred to as the cell's energy currency'. It is a small molecule, a single nucleotide bearing additional phosphate groups. Each extra phosphate group is connected to the molecule by a high energy phosphate bond. All cells are capable of glycolysis, and use the same metabolic pathway to convert gflucose to pyruvate, extracting chemical energy.
Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of cells.
It is also known as the Emden-Meyerhoff pathway, named for its discoverers. The steps of glycolysis are shown diagramatically in the accompanying chart. The investment is recovered, and at the end of glycolysis a net of 2 ATP has been produced. Two molecules of pyruvate are recovered for each molecule of glucose that passes through glycolysis. During the transition reactions, two more NADH molecules are formed and two molecules of CO 2 are given off as the two pyruvates are processed.