In Aerobic Metabolism, What is the Fate of Pyruvate Produced

Question

In aerobic metabolism, what is the fate of pyruvate produced by glycolysis?
A) Pyruvate loses carbon dioxide, and the remaining two carbon atoms become linked to coenzyme A.
B) Pyruvate loses carbon dioxide, producing acetaldehyde, which, in turn, is reduced to ethanol.
C) Pyruvate is reduced to lactate.
D) None of these

Accepted Answer

In aerobic metabolism, pyruvate loses a carbon dioxide molecule and then the remaining two-carbon molecule binds to coenzyme A (CoA) to form acetyl CoA, which is further metabolized in the citric acid cycle to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. This process occurs in the mitochondria. Choice B is the fate of pyruvate in alcoholic fermentation. Choice C is the fate of pyruvate in lactic acid fermentation.