AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Pyruvate, the product from glycolysis, is transformed into acetyl CoA in the mitochondria for the next step. The citric acid cycle, where acetyl CoA is modified in the mitochondria to produce energy precursors in preparation for the next step.

Detailed explanation-2: -The correct answer is Oxidative decarboxylation. Decarboxylation or oxidative decarboxylation reaction is the biochemical reaction which uses pyruvate in order to form acetyl-CoA, by releasing NADH, which is a reducing equivalent, and carbon dioxide upon decarboxylation.

Detailed explanation-3: -In the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA, each pyruvate molecule loses one carbon atom with the release of carbon dioxide. 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: -In eukaryotic cells, the pyruvate molecules produced at the end of glycolysis are transported into mitochondria, which are the sites of cellular respiration. There, pyruvate will be transformed into an acetyl group that will be picked up and activated by a carrier compound called coenzyme A (CoA).

Detailed explanation-5: -So as to covert pyruvate, obtained from glycolysis, to acetyl CoA, an enzyme complex called pyruvate dehydogenase complex is required. This enzyme is located on the mitochondrial membrane of eukaryotes and releases acetyl CoA as a product into inner side of mitochondria.