Where in the cell does glycolysis occur?

Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. This process involves the breakdown of glucose into pyruvate, occurs in the aqueous environment of the cytoplasm, and does not require the presence of organelles like mitochondria, which are involved in later stages of cellular respiration, such as the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Cytoplasmic enzymes facilitate the various reactions in glycolysis, making it an essential first step in converting glucose into usable energy, regardless of whether the cell is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. The cytoplasmic setting is crucial because it allows immediate access to the ATP and NADH produced during glycolysis for energy production.