Carbohydrate metabolism — The stepwise breakdown of glucose to pyruvate in the cytosol is known as what process (independent of whether O2 is present later)?

Introduction / Context:
Glucose catabolism begins with a universal, cytosolic pathway that yields ATP and NADH and ends in pyruvate. That pathway is glycolysis, and it operates in virtually all cells. This question asks you to name that process, regardless of whether cells later use oxygen or ferment.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Location: cytosol.
• Products: pyruvate, ATP (net 2), and NADH.
• Downstream fates: aerobic oxidation in mitochondria or anaerobic fermentation.

Concept / Approach:
Differentiate upstream glycolysis from downstream branches. Fermentation is a post-glycolytic process that reoxidizes NADH to NAD+ in the absence of oxygen; anaerobic respiration uses an electron transport chain with non-O2 acceptors; the TCA cycle is mitochondrial and follows pyruvate oxidation.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
The Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas pathway name is synonymous with glycolysis in most textbooks.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Equating fermentation with the entire process of glucose utilization; fermentation is only one possible fate of pyruvate.

Final Answer:
Glycolysis.