From an evolutionary perspective glycolysis occurs in prokaryotes because

The answer is; prokaryotes are the earliest life forms

Glycolysis was the earliest energy harvesting pathway in early living organisms. Glycolysis does not require oxygen attribute to the early condition of the earth where its atmosphere was majorly comprised of carbon dioxide. It is only after the great oxygenation event that life evolved the oxidative phosphorylation process.

it is a learned trait

explanation:

i'd have to say the answer is probable the second option "the geosphere interacting with the atmosphere"