Pyruvate Oxidation Flashcards
Describe pyruvate oxidation
Pyruvate from glycolysis enters the matrix of the mitochondria. Once inside, it is oxidized, decarboxylated, and “activated”
Describe the decarboxylation of pyruvate
A CO2 is removed from BOTH three-carbon compounds and released as waste. This is to turn it into the two-carbon acetyl molecule
Describe the oxidation of pyruvate
Once it is oxidized, electrons are picked up by NAD+ and reduced into NADH
Describe the activation of pyruvate
Coenzyme A is added to a sulphur complex which attaches to the acetyl groups to prepare them for the Kreb’s cycle
Why do we breathe out CO2?
It is a waste product from the metabolism of glucose
Draw a diagram of pyruvate oxidation
How many carbons remain from the original glucose after pyruvate oxidation?
Four (one carbon removed from each pyruvate molecule)
