Pyruvate Oxidation (Unit 2)

Question 1

Where does pyruvate oxidation occur?

Answer 1

Mitochondrial matrix

Question 2

What happens to pyruvate once it enters the matrix?

Answer 2

It is converted into an acetyl group and temporarily bonded to a sulfur atom at the end of coenzyme A (CoA), creating an acetyl-CoA complex. This whole process is called pyruvate oxidation.

Question 3

What is a decarboxylation reaction?

Answer 3

chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group to form CO2.

Question 4

What is the first step in the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA?

Answer 4

The first step is a decarboxylation reaction

Question 5

What follows the decarboxylation in the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA?

Answer 5

The oxidation of the remaining two-carbon molecule, forming an acetyl group.

Question 6

What is dehydrogenation?

Answer 6

Dehydrogenation is the removal of a hydrogen atom from a molecule

Question 7

What happens during the dehydrogenation in pyruvate oxidation?

Answer 7

Two electrons and a proton are transferred to NAD+, forming NADH and releasing an H+ into the solution.

Question 8

How is the high-energy acetyl-CoA formed?

Answer 8

The acetyl group reacts with sulfur from CoA, forming high-energy acetyl-CoA

Question 9

What is the overall equation for pyruvate oxidation?

Answer 9

2 pyruvate + 2 NAD+ + 2 CoA = 2 acetyl-CoA + 2 NADH + 2H+ + 2 CO2