What are the products of glycolysis?

The processes of glycolysis result in the conversion of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, as well as the production of two molecules of NADH and a net gain of two ATP molecules.

During glycolysis, a single molecule of glucose, which is a six-carbon sugar, is broken down in a series of enzymatic reactions into two three-carbon molecules known as pyruvate. This is crucial because pyruvate can then enter the Krebs cycle (or citric acid cycle) if oxygen is present. The reduction of NAD+ to NADH during glycolysis captures high-energy electrons, which contribute to the overall energy yield of cellular respiration.

The net gain of two ATP is due to the investment of two ATP molecules in the initial steps of glycolysis, but four ATP molecules are produced later in the pathway, leading to a net of two ATP.

Overall, the correct products of glycolysis are therefore two pyruvate, two NADH, and a net production of two ATP, making this a clear representation of the main outputs of this critical metabolic pathway.