Does glycolysis occur inside or outside the mitochondria? Glycolysis happens in the cytoplasm of cells and does not require the presence of oxygen. It is said to be anaerobic. It is the first step used by cells to extract energy from glucose in the form of ATP.
Where does glycolysis happen?
Glycolysis happens in the cytosol (the fluid containing the organelles) of the cell. The next step in cellular respiration, the citric acid cycle, occurs in the mitochondria.