glycolysis

noun

gly·​col·​y·​sis glī-ˈkä-lə-səs How to pronounce glycolysis (audio)
: the enzymatic breakdown of a carbohydrate (such as glucose) by way of phosphate derivatives with the production of pyruvic or lactic acid and energy stored in high-energy phosphate bonds of ATP
glycolytic adjective

Examples of glycolysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Because of the prompt production of ATP in the glycolysis system, the swimmers, especially in short distance competitions, obtain instantaneous force in white fibers of the skeletal muscles. Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019 When glycolysis occurs in the absence of oxygen, it is known as fermentation. James Somers, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2022 But your fast glycolysis system is trickier. Outside Online, 17 July 2020 The three primary reactions that define cheese ripening are glycolysis, proteolysis, and lipolysis. Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2017 And once inside, the sugar is broken down by enzymes in a process called glycolysis. Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2023 The role of glycolysis is to acidify the curd or cheese, which produces many downstream effects including the regulation of flavor, texture, and melting point of the cheese. Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2017 To determine the brain metabolism of each person, researchers observed how much sugar was being used during what’s called aerobic glycolysis. Megan Schmidt, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2019 Alkaline solutions led to the creation of pentose phosphate, an initial step in the production of amino acids, while neutral pH levels stimulated glycolysis, part of the process that forms ATP. Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glycolysis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glycolysis was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near glycolysis

Cite this Entry

“Glycolysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycolysis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

glycolysis

noun
gly·​col·​y·​sis glī-ˈkäl-ə-səs How to pronounce glycolysis (audio)
plural glycolyses -ˌsēz How to pronounce glycolysis (audio)
: the enzymatic breakdown of a carbohydrate (as glucose or glycogen) by way of phosphate derivatives with the production of pyruvic or lactic acid and energy stored in high-energy phosphate bonds of ATP

called also Embden-Meyerhof pathway

glycolytic adjective
glycolytically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on glycolysis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!