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Multiple Choice
Why is glycolysis considered to be one of the first metabolic pathways to have evolved?
A
It occurs in the cytoplasm and does not require oxygen.
B
It produces a large amount of ATP compared to other pathways.
C
It is unique to eukaryotic cells.
D
It requires complex organelles to function.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Glycolysis is considered one of the first metabolic pathways to have evolved because it is a universal process found in nearly all organisms, indicating its ancient origin.
This pathway occurs in the cytoplasm, which is a simple and accessible location within the cell, suggesting it could have evolved before complex organelles were present.
Glycolysis does not require oxygen, making it suitable for early Earth conditions where oxygen was scarce or absent.
The process of glycolysis involves breaking down glucose into pyruvate, generating ATP and NADH, which are essential for cellular energy and metabolism.
Unlike other metabolic pathways, glycolysis does not require complex organelles, such as mitochondria, to function, further supporting its role as an early evolutionary development.