Glycolysis is the process of breaking down glucose. The end product of glycolysis is Pyruvate. Pyruvate can be used for aerobic respiration in the TCA (citric) cycle if oxygen is present but if oxygen is absent, pyruvate is used in anaerobic respiration. The net end products of glycolysis are: 2 pyruvate, 2 ATP and 2 NADH. Lactic acid is the end product of anaerobic respiration.
Pyruvate is converted to lactic acid; carbon dioxide and water are also formed in anaerobic respiration. Pyruvate is converted to acetyl CoA prior to entering the TCA cycle. Citrate is formed in the TCA cycle from acetyl CoA and pre-existing molecule of oxaloacetate.
