Why is glycolysis considered to be one of the first metabolic pathways to have evolved?
A) It produces much less ATP than does oxidative phosphorylation.
B) It does not involve organelles or specialized structures, does not require oxygen, and is present in most organisms.
C) It is found in prokaryotic cells but not in eukaryotic cells.
D) It relies on chemiosmosis, which is a metabolic mechanism present only in the first cells' prokaryotic cells.
E) It requires the presence of membrane-enclosed cell organelles found only in eukaryotic cells.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Glycolysis is considered to be one of the first metabolic pathways to have evolved because it is a simple process that does not involve organelles or specialized structures, does not require oxygen, and is present in most organisms, including prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It is likely that glycolysis was present in the common ancestor of all living organisms and has been conserved throughout evolutionary history.

Why Is Glycolysis Considered to Be One of the First