Correct Answer:
A. Pyruvate
The correct answer is Pyruvate. Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that breaks down one molecule of glucose (a six‑carbon sugar) into two molecules of pyruvate (a three‑carbon compound). This process occurs in the cytoplasm and does not require oxygen. Among the options:
- Pyruvate: Correct; it is the end product of glycolysis.
- Glucose: This is the starting substrate, not the end product.
- ATP: Produced during glycolysis (net gain of 2 ATP), but it is not the end product; pyruvate is the terminal molecule.
- Lactic Acid: This is produced during fermentation, not directly from glycolysis.
Hence, the correct answer is "Pyruvate".