Q. 18.84 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

When pyruvate is used to form acetyl $CoA$, the product has only two carbon atoms. What happened to the third carbon?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Pyruvate is used to form acetyl $CoA$ when it moves from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria to oxidize further. the third carbon atom is removed from pyruvate as $C{O}_2$.

Step 1: Given Information

We need to find the process when the pyruvate is used to form acetyl $CoA$ and explain the third carbon atom.

Step 2: Explanation

Under the aerobic conditions, pyruvate moves from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria get oxidized further. Pyruvate is oxidized, and a carbon atom is removed from the pyruvate as $C{O}_2$ in a complex reaction. The coenzyme $NA{D}^{+}$ is reduced during oxidation. The resulting $2$ carbon acetyl compound is attached $CoA$, producing acetyl $\mathrm{CoA}$.