Question

Pyruvate undergoes oxidative decarboxylation to produce
A. 2-PGA
B. \[\alpha \]-ketone
C. Succinyl Co-A
D. Acetyl Co-A

Answer 1

Hint: Oxidative decarboxylation is an oxidation reaction that occurs in many biological processes such as the citric acid cycle. The product formed from the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate is a molecule that is majorly involved in lipid, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism. The molecule also contributes an acetyl group during the Krebs cycle.

Complete answer:
Pyruvate undergoes oxidative decarboxylation to produce Acetyl Co-A.
Oxidative decarboxylation is an oxidation reaction by which carbon dioxide is produced by the removal of carbon from a compound.
Pyruvate is a product of glycolysis. Pyruvate undergoes oxidation in the presence of a complex known as pyruvate dehydrogenase. During the reaction:
A carboxyl group is removed which leads to the release of carbon dioxide.
$NA{D^ + }$ is reduced to NADH.
Acetyl Co-A is produced.
The main function of Acetyl CoA is to act as a carrier molecule for the citric acid cycle. It carries the acetyl group to the citric acid cycle for it to be oxidized to form carbon dioxide, water, and energy. The oxidation of one acetyl group leads to the production of 11 ATP molecules and 1 GTP molecule.

The correct answer is option ( D ) that is Acetyl Co-A.

Note:
> In the case of anaerobic respiration, i.e. when oxidation of pyruvate is not possible, pyruvate can undergo fermentation and form lactate and generate NADH, thereby increasing the availability of ATP.
> Pyruvate is also the starting product of gluconeogenesis, i.e. the process of formation of glucose.
> Pyruvate is also utilized in the generation of non-essential amino acids.