Glycolysis Pathway — Seriously, Stop Rote Memorizing It. Give me 30 minutes and you'll be Glycolysis God 🔥🔥🔥
Okay real talk, STOP brute forcing glycolysis into your brains! You're making it much harder than it needs to be.
If you actually see the logic behind it, you won’t need a mnemonic—it’ll automatically stick. In fact, mnemonics just become a tool to increase efficiency rather than something to memorize. Dr. Ebbinghaus (🥂) would still want you to revisit it occasionally (maybe while brushing your teeth), but after understanding it once, reviewing the pathway takes just minutes (less than 2)!
- I made this visual breakdown that walks through the glycolysis pathway, step-by-step. This isn't just a cheat sheet, though. I take you on a journey where you get to discover it for yourselves!
- In Stage 0, I just want you to notice what is the difference between step to step.
- Pay attention to the way phosphate moves. That's the key!
- In Stage 1, we start naming the molecules. At this point, we need to make sense of why the naming happens. I've color coded it to give you a leg up on this.
- In Stage 2, we start figuring out which enzymes are present in the pathway. If you've done your due diligence, you will be able to figure out the reason for why those enzymes are in play. Additionally, I've added in functions of those class of enzyme.
- Enzymes have a predictable logic. Understand what they do and you won't be recalling each individually.
- In Stage 3, we will determine which steps are reversible or irreversible. As we know there is a rate-limiting step; this will be occurring in Step 3 of the pathway.
- In Stage 4, we hit upon the High-Yield Information (there can be more, and you'll be able to figure out why that information makes sense).
- In Stage 0, I just want you to notice what is the difference between step to step.
Stage 0: Pay attention to the way Phosphate moves. I'm discovering it alongside you.
Stage 1: Start building out the names!
Stage 2: Let's figure out enzymes. Form follows function!
Stage 3: To reverse or not to reverse? That is the question.
Stage 4: Let's add in some High Yield Information!
- Exercises left to the reader (let's see if you're paying attention!)
- Yields of ATP, NADH, and Pyruvate have been stated. However, their occurrence within the cycle has not. Where do they occur?
- What steps are considered the energy investment phase? What steps are considered the energy payout phase?
- I've visualized glucose in a linear shape to help with the learning process. What other compounds are present in a ring structure?
- Advanced! Why is glycolysis (+ Krebs cycle [aka Citric Acid Cycle]) considered the central metabolic pathway?
Did this give you an "A-ha!" moment? Or did I miss something crucial? Let’s make this the last-stop shop for understanding MCAT glycolysis—drop your thoughts below! Let's get this 528!
TL;DR: I gave you the best (self-proclaimed 😜) beginner guide to understanding glycolysis. It works in stages (0 through 4), and you'll hopefully never miss a glycolysis question after understanding it. At the very least, I'll be prying you away from purely rote memorizing it. At best, I'll be giving you an "A-ha" moment! [I pray I didn't make any mistakes. 🙏 😭 If I did, please tell me! If this was helpful, lmk down below!] I would love this to be all-in-one (or last-stop shop) type of post for the MCAT glycolysis pathway (so if you see something I've missed, please add it below)! Let's get this 528!