Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm (cytosol) of the cell. This process takes place in virtually every cell type and involves breaking down glucose into pyruvate through a series of enzymatic reactions
. Specifically, glycolysis does not require oxygen and happens outside the mitochondria, in the liquid part of the cell. The pyruvate produced can then enter mitochondria for further aerobic metabolism if oxygen is available, or be converted to lactate under anaerobic conditions
. In summary, glycolysis occurs in the cytosol of cells, serving as the initial step in glucose metabolism before subsequent pathways in the mitochondria.
