During cellular respiration, which metabolic pathway occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and converts glucose into pyruvate without requiring oxygen?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Glycolysis is the universal metabolic pathway taking place in the cytoplasm of all living cells that breaks down one glucose molecule into two molecules of pyruvate, yielding a net gain of ATP molecules without utilizing oxygen. The Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation occur inside mitochondria and require oxygen. The Calvin cycle is the light-independent phase of photosynthesis in plants.