Why is glycolysis considered to be one of the first metabolic pathways to have evolved?
A) It is found in prokaryotic cells but not in eukaryotic cells.
B) It requires the presence of membrane-enclosed cell organelles found only in eukaryotic cells.
C) It relies on chemiosmosis, which is a metabolic mechanism present only in the first cells' prokaryotic cells.
D) It does not involve organelles or specialized structures, does not require oxygen, and is present in most organisms.
E) It produces much less ATP than does oxidative phosphorylation.
Answer: D