Which of the following is the three-carbon product formed at the end of glycolysis?

• A. Glucose-6-phosphate
• B. Acetyl-CoA
• C. Lactate
• D. Pyruvate

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the process of glycolysis: Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose (a six-carbon molecule) into two three-carbon molecules, producing energy in the form of ATP and NADH.
2. Identify the key products of glycolysis: The main product at the end of glycolysis is pyruvate, a three-carbon molecule. This occurs after a series of enzymatic reactions that split glucose into two pyruvate molecules.
3. Compare the options provided: Glucose-6-phosphate is an intermediate in glycolysis, not the final product. Acetyl-CoA is formed later in cellular respiration during the transition step, not directly from glycolysis. Lactate is produced under anaerobic conditions when pyruvate is converted to lactate, but it is not the direct product of glycolysis.
4. Focus on the correct answer: Pyruvate is the three-carbon product formed at the end of glycolysis under normal aerobic conditions.
5. Summarize the reasoning: Based on the biochemical pathway of glycolysis, pyruvate is the correct answer because it is the direct three-carbon product formed at the end of this process.