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Definition of "glycolysis" [glycolysis]

  • An ATP-generating metabolic process that occurs in nearly all living cells in which glucose is converted in a series of steps to pyruvic acid. (noun)
  • The metabolic breakdown of glucose and other sugars that releases energy in the form of ATP. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "glycolysis" in a sentence
  • "Meyerhof's greatest achievement was his ability to clarify both the starring and supporting roles of the many molecules involved in glycolysis and then place them in proper sequence of the metabolic script."
  • "Meyerhof was convinced that an active form of hexosemonophosphate was an intermediate in glycolysis and associated with the formation of pyruvate."
  • "Answering such questions was a challenge because most of the components involved in glycolysis were typified by a very transient existence, making them difficult to isolate, much less analyze, test and then place in proper sequence."