What is the process called that breaks down carbohydrates to produce ATP?

The process that breaks down carbohydrates to produce ATP is glycolysis. This metabolic pathway involves the conversion of glucose into pyruvate, which can then enter the Krebs cycle for further energy production. In glycolysis, a series of enzymatic reactions occur, ultimately resulting in a net gain of two molecules of ATP, as well as two molecules of NADH that can be used in the electron transport chain for additional ATP production.

Glycogenolysis, while related, specifically refers to the breakdown of glycogen into glucose units, not the direct breakdown of glucose itself for ATP production. Glycogenesis is the process of synthesizing glycogen from glucose, effectively storing energy rather than breaking it down. Fermentation is an anaerobic process that follows glycolysis when oxygen is not available, providing an alternative method of ATP production, but it is not the initial breakdown of carbohydrates. Thus, glycolysis is the key process in carbohydrate metabolism for ATP generation.