What occurs to glycolysis if NAD+ levels become too low?

In glycolysis, one of the critical steps involves the conversion of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate, a reaction that requires NAD+ as a cofactor. If NAD+ levels become too low, this reaction cannot proceed effectively, leading to a bottleneck in the glycolytic pathway.

NAD+ is essential because it acts as an electron acceptor, facilitating the oxidation of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. When NAD+ is depleted, glycolysis cannot continue past this point, resulting in the accumulation of intermediates prior to this reaction and a decrease in the overall flux of glucose through the glycolytic pathway. This halt in glycolysis would significantly impair the cell's ability to generate ATP, which is a primary function of this metabolic pathway.

Hence, the depletion of NAD+ ultimately leads to the cessation of glycolysis, making the assertion that glycolysis will stop correct in this scenario.