What is the name of the series of reactions that converts glucose to pyruvate?

The series of reactions that converts glucose to pyruvate is known as glycolysis. This metabolic pathway involves a sequence of ten enzyme-catalyzed reactions that break down one molecule of glucose, a six-carbon sugar, into two molecules of pyruvate, which are three-carbon compounds. Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and is the first step in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

During glycolysis, several key reactions take place, including the phosphorylation of glucose, its conversion into fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, and eventual cleavage into two three-carbon molecules. This process is significant because it generates a small amount of ATP (energy) and reduces molecules of NAD+ to NADH, which are important for cellular energy metabolism.

This pathway is fundamental for numerous organisms, as it provides energy and building blocks for other metabolic processes, making it crucial for overall cellular function and survival. Other options, such as oxidation, cycling, and fermentation, refer to different processes and specific pathways that are involved in metabolism but do not accurately describe the direct conversion of glucose to pyruvate.