What could happen if glycolysis did not occur?

Glycolysis is a crucial metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). If glycolysis did not occur, cells would be unable to convert glucose into pyruvate, which is a key step in cellular respiration. This process is fundamental for generating ATP, the energy currency of the cell, which powers various cellular functions. Without glycolysis, the primary means by which cells extract usable energy from glucose would be lost, leading to energy deprivation.

The loss of energy production would hinder critical cellular processes such as muscle contraction, biosynthesis, and active transport mechanisms, ultimately impacting cell survival and functionality. Therefore, the inability to generate necessary energy would have profound effects on the overall health and viability of the cells.