Chapter 7.3: The Oxidation of Pyruvate Produces Acetyl-CoA

Question 1

What is the reaction for oxidation of pyruvate?

Answer 1

• Pyruvate + NAD⁺ + CoA à acetyl-CoA + NADH + CO₂ + H⁺

Question 2

Where does oxidation of pyruvate happen in prokaryotes?

Answer 2

cytoplasm and plasma membrane

Question 3

Where does oxidation of pyruvate happen in eukaryotes?

Answer 3

mitochondria

Question 4

What happens during the oxidation of pyruvate?

Answer 4

• Pyruvate is oxidized in a “decarboxylation” reaction that cleaves off one of pyruvate’s three carbons in the form of CO2 o The remaining 2-carbon compound, called an acetyl group, becomes bound to coenzyme A, producing acetyl-CoA o Also a dehydrogenation, so a pair of electron and a proton are transferred to NAD+ reducing it to NADH, with a second proton donated to the solution