What is glycolysis and what are its key products?

Glycolysis is a central metabolic pathway that converts one glucose molecule (6 carbons) into two pyruvate molecules (3 carbons each) through ten enzymatic steps in the cytoplasm. It produces a net yield of 2 ATP (4 produced minus 2 consumed) and 2 NADH per glucose. Key regulatory enzymes are hexokinase, phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1, main regulatory point), and pyruvate kinase. Glycolysis occurs in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions and is essential for energy production. The pathway intermediates also serve as precursors for biosynthetic pathways including amino acid and lipid synthesis.