Questions and Answers
Why is pyruvate oxidation important to cellular respiration in general?
Pyruvate oxidation oxidizes pyruvate into acetyl-coA, which is the molecule that fuels the citric acid cycle. Without pyruvate oxidation, the process would not go to completion.
During pyruvate oxidation, what molecule is being reduced?
NAD+ is being reduced to NADH.
Even though pyruvate oxidation does not produce ATP, in what way does it assist the process of producing ATP?
Pyruvate oxidation produces hydrogen atoms which NAD+ takes to the electron transport chain, creating a hydrogen ion gradient that phosphorylates ADP to ATP.
What product of pyruvate oxidation is excreted through the mouth?
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Where does pyruvate oxidation occur?
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How many times does pyruvate oxidation occur for one molecule of glucose?
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Complete and balance the reaction: 2 Pyruvate → ___ + ____ + ____
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Is pyruvate oxidation an anaerobic process?
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Where would pyruvate oxidation take place in a prokaryote and why?
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What group is attached to Coenzyme A in the final product of pyruvate oxidation?
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Study Notes
Importance of Pyruvate Oxidation
- Converts pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, essential for fueling the citric acid cycle.
- Without pyruvate oxidation, cellular respiration cannot proceed effectively.
Reduction During Pyruvate Oxidation
- NAD+ is reduced to NADH during the pyruvate oxidation process.
Role in ATP Production
- Although pyruvate oxidation does not directly produce ATP, it generates hydrogen atoms.
- NADH carries these hydrogen atoms to the electron transport chain, enabling ATP production through a hydrogen ion gradient.
- The gradient fuels ATP Synthase to phosphorylate ADP into ATP.
Byproducts of Pyruvate Oxidation
- Carbon dioxide is released as a byproduct and exhaled through the mouth.
Location of Pyruvate Oxidation
- Occurs in the mitochondrial matrix of eukaryotic cells.
Occurrence for Glucose
- Each glucose molecule results in two cycles of pyruvate oxidation.
Balanced Reaction
- The reaction can be expressed as: 2 Pyruvate → 2 Acetyl-CoA + 2 CO2 + 2 NADH.
Aerobic Nature
- Pyruvate oxidation is classified as an aerobic process requiring oxygen.
Prokaryotic Occurrence
- In prokaryotes, pyruvate oxidation takes place in the cytoplasm due to the absence of mitochondria.
Coenzyme A Attachment
- The final product of pyruvate oxidation, acetyl-CoA, has an acetyl group attached to Coenzyme A, which initiates the Krebs cycle.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the significance of pyruvate oxidation in cellular respiration. This quiz covers key concepts such as the formation of acetyl-CoA and the reduction of NAD+ during this critical metabolic process.
