AP BIOLOGY

CELL RESPIRATION

THE KREBS CYCLE

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Since there are three carbon atoms in the pyruvic acid, the other two rearrange to form acetic acid, which is then joined by a ____
A
FAD
B
atp molecules
C
matrix
D
coenzyme
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -A carboxyl group is snipped off of pyruvate and released as a molecule of carbon dioxide, leaving behind a two-carbon molecule.

Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -This is a very short step in between glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. The 3-carbon pyruvate molecule made in glycolysis loses a carbon to produce a new, 2-carbon molecule called acetyl CoA.

Detailed explanation-4: -During the process, the pyruvic acid molecule is broken down by an enzyme, one carbon atom is released in the form of carbon dioxide, and the remaining two carbon atoms are combined with a coenzyme called coenzyme A.

There is 1 question to complete.