Which of the following steps occurs in the cell cytoplasm? (Choose 2)

Glycolysis is a crucial metabolic pathway that occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. This process involves the conversion of glucose into pyruvate, yielding ATP and NADH in the process. This pathway is anaerobic, meaning it does not require oxygen, which is why it can take place in the cytoplasm.

The Pentose Phosphate Shunt also occurs in the cytoplasm. This pathway is involved in the oxidative metabolism of glucose-6-phosphate, producing NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate, which are essential for various biosynthetic processes and cellular redox balance.

In contrast, the citric acid cycle (or Krebs cycle) takes place in the mitochondria, where acetyl-CoA derived from glycolysis enters to generate more NADH and FADH2 for the electron transport chain. Oxidative phosphorylation, where ATP is produced via the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis, also occurs in the mitochondria. Thus, the cytoplasmic processes highlighted are glycolysis and the pentose phosphate shunt, making them the correct choices.