What is the primary product of aerobic glycolysis?

In aerobic glycolysis, the primary product is Acetyl-CoA. During this process, glucose is broken down into pyruvate, which is then converted into Acetyl-CoA in the presence of oxygen. Acetyl-CoA plays a crucial role as it enters the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle), where it is further oxidized to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell.

While glucose is the starting substrate for glycolysis, and lactic acid is a product of anaerobic glycolysis (which occurs when oxygen is limited), Acetyl-CoA is specifically produced from pyruvate during aerobic conditions. Fatty acids are not a direct product of glycolysis; they are involved in the metabolism of lipids. Hence, Acetyl-CoA as the main product in aerobic glycolysis highlights its pivotal role in metabolic pathways that generate energy efficiently in the presence of oxygen.