Which pathway is common to both aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

The pathway that is common to both aerobic and anaerobic respiration is Glycolysis.

Here are the steps:

1. Glycolysis is the first step in both aerobic and anaerobic respiration. It occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell.

2. During glycolysis, one molecule of glucose (a six-carbon sugar) is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate (a three-carbon compound).

3. This process also produces a net gain of two ATP molecules and two NADH molecules, which are used in later stages of respiration to produce more ATP.

4. If oxygen is present (aerobic conditions), the pyruvate will continue on to the Krebs cycle. If oxygen is not present (anaerobic conditions), the pyruvate will undergo fermentation.

5. Therefore, regardless of whether conditions are aerobic or anaerobic, all cells begin respiration with glycolysis.