What is produced at the end of glycolysis after the removal of phosphate groups?

At the end of glycolysis, the process results in the production of two molecules of pyruvic acid. Glycolysis is the first step in the breakdown of glucose to extract energy for cellular metabolism, and it occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. During glycolysis, one glucose molecule (which contains six carbon atoms) is transformed through a series of enzymatic reactions into two molecules of pyruvate (or pyruvic acid), each containing three carbon atoms.

In addition to pyruvate, glycolysis also generates two molecules of NADH and a net gain of two molecules of ATP; however, the primary end product that signifies the completion of glycolysis is indeed the two molecules of pyruvic acid. It is important to note that while NADH and ATP are also produced, they are not the central end products of glycolysis in the same manner as pyruvate, which is a crucial molecule for further stages of cellular respiration. This understanding highlights the significance of pyruvate as it serves as a critical intersection between anaerobic fermentation and aerobic cellular respiration.