AP BIOLOGY

CELL RESPIRATION

AEROBIC RESPIRATION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Prior to entering the Krebs Cycle, each pyruvate molecule loses hydrogen atoms and a carbon atom to form an energy-rich molecule called ____ ?
A
Acetyl-CoA
B
Citrate
C
Oxaloacetate
D
Malate
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Before the Krebs cycle begins, pyruvate, which has three carbon atoms, is split apart and combined with an enzyme known as CoA, which stands for coenzyme A. The product of this reaction is a two-carbon molecule called acetyl-CoA.

Detailed explanation-2: -Pyruvate, derived from glycolysis, is firstly converted into acetyl-CoA (2-C) which is subsequently condensed with oxaloacetate (4-C) to form the 6-C compound citrate. This is cycled back to oxaloacetate via a series of reactions which form CO2 (as a waste product) as well as NADH and FADH.

Detailed explanation-3: -The formation of acetyl CoA takes place with the help of the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase and coenzyme A. During the breakdown of pyruvate, electrons are transferred to NAD+ to produce NADH, which will be used by the cell to produce ATP.

Detailed explanation-4: -So, the process used in conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA is oxidative decarboxylation.

There is 1 question to complete.