What is glycolysis?

Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway in which glucose is partially broken down by cells to produce energy. It is the primary step of cellular respiration, which occurs in the cytoplasm in both aerobic and anaerobic organisms. The process does not require oxygen. 

Glycolysis involves a series of complex oxidizing biochemical reactions, which breaks down a 6-carbon molecule of glucose, generating 2 molecules of pyruvate (a 3-C molecule), 2 NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) molecules, water, and 2 high-energy ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules.