What Actually Happens When Pyruvic Acid Loses a Carbon Dioxide

Question

What actually happens when pyruvic acid loses a carbon dioxide molecule after glycolysis?
A) The pyruvic acid is denatured.
B) The pyruvic acid is phosphorylated.
C) The pyruvic acid is decarboxylated.
D) The pyruvic acid is oxidated.

Accepted Answer

When pyruvic acid loses a carbon dioxide molecule after glycolysis, it undergoes decarboxylation, which means it loses a CO2 molecule. This reaction is catalyzed by an enzyme called pyruvate dehydrogenase, which converts pyruvic acid into acetyl CoA, which then enters the citric acid cycle. The other options (A, B, and D) do not accurately describe what happens during this process.