Pyruvate processing, which occurs in the mitochondria, converts pyruvate into acetyl-CoA. During this process, one molecule of carbon dioxide is released for each pyruvate, and one NADH is generated. The acetyl-CoA then enters the citric acid cycle, where it plays a crucial role in cellular respiration. Overall, pyruvate processing prepares the carbon skeleton for further energy extraction.
During pyruvate processing
When glucose is metabolized, it is first broken down through glycolysis, producing pyruvate. During pyruvate processing, each molecule of pyruvate is converted into acetyl-CoA, releasing one molecule of carbon dioxide. Since each glucose molecule generates two pyruvate molecules, this results in the production of two molecules of carbon dioxide from pyruvate processing. Therefore, if glucose is the sole energy source, the fraction of carbon dioxide exhaled that is generated by pyruvate processing is 2 out of the total carbon dioxide produced during cellular respiration, which includes additional carbon dioxide from the citric acid cycle. This fraction is approximately 1/3 of the total CO2 exhaled.
smooth endoplasmic reticula
The mitochondrial membrane has special transporter proteins which are needed to transport pyruvate. This transport also requires ATP.
C. Glycolysis must occur before any of the other steps in cellular respiration. It is the first stage of the process, where glucose is broken down into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH. The pyruvate produced then enters either pyruvate processing or the Krebs cycle, depending on the presence of oxygen.
During pyruvate processing
Pyruvate processing occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells. It is an important step in cellular respiration where pyruvate is converted to acetyl-CoA before entering the citric acid cycle to generate ATP.
Acetyl CoA
Acetyl CoA
Acetyl CoA
Acetyl CoA
Acetyl CoA
smooth endoplasmic reticula
The mitochondrial membrane has special transporter proteins which are needed to transport pyruvate. This transport also requires ATP.
Acetyl CoA
When the cell gains gluclose, the process of glycolysis occurs and the gluclose is broken down down into pyruvate. In pyruvate processing, Acetyl CoA is produced nad then used in the Krebs Cycle. There, NADH and FADH2 are made and go to the electron transport chain, where water and ATP are made. *
C. Glycolysis must occur before any of the other steps in cellular respiration. It is the first stage of the process, where glucose is broken down into pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH. The pyruvate produced then enters either pyruvate processing or the Krebs cycle, depending on the presence of oxygen.