Step 1: Understanding the Concept
Glycolysis (EMP pathway) breaks one glucose into two pyruvate molecules.
Step 2: Where it occurs
All its enzymes are soluble and lie in the cytosol. It needs no oxygen or organelle, so it occurs even in prokaryotes and anaerobes.
Step 3: Later stages
The link reaction, Krebs cycle and ETS happen in mitochondria.
Final Answer:
Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm.
\[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{cytoplasm}} \]