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Pyruvic acid is an organic acid and the simplest of the alpha-keto acids. It is a key compound in the metabolism of carbohydrates because it supplies the energy to living cells through the citric acid cycle.

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9y ago
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1w ago

Pyruvate is considered a key compound because it is a central molecule in cellular metabolism. It serves as the end product of glycolysis and the starting point for both aerobic respiration and fermentation pathways. Pyruvate can be converted into various molecules based on the cell's energy needs, making it a crucial junction in metabolic pathways.

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11y ago

It can be metabolized either anaerobically or aerobically.

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Q: Why pyruvate is called as key compound?
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Name the two step process where pyruvate is converted to a two carbon compound releasing carbon dioxide. Then the electrons are transferred from a molecule of NADH to the two carbon compound producing?

The two-step process you are referring to is called the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. In the first step, pyruvate is decarboxylated to form a two-carbon compound called acetyl-CoA, releasing carbon dioxide. In the second step, electrons from a molecule of NADH are transferred to the acetyl-CoA molecule, producing NADH.


Where can pyruvate dehydrogenase be found?

Pyruvate dehydrogenase is typically found in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells. It plays a critical role in the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, a key step in the process of aerobic respiration.


What compound that is derived from glucose actually enters the Krebs cycle?

Pyruvate, a compound derived from glucose through glycolysis, enters the Krebs cycle after it is converted into acetyl-CoA. This conversion step occurs in the mitochondria and is catalyzed by the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase.


What is the 3 carbon sugar that is formed when glucose is split in half during the krebs's cycle?

The 3-carbon sugar formed when glucose is split in half during the Krebs cycle is called pyruvate. Pyruvate is a key intermediate in cellular respiration and is further broken down to generate energy in the form of ATP.


In glycolysis what is the first three carbon compound produced?

The first three-carbon compound produced in glycolysis is glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) from the six-carbon glucose molecule. This occurs after the glucose molecule is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate.

Related questions

Is pyruvate and pyruvic acid the same thing?

Yes, pyruvate and pyruvic acid refer to the same compound. Pyruvate is the ionized form of pyruvic acid, which is a key molecule in the process of glycolysis and plays a crucial role in cellular respiration.


What is a three carbon compound that is produced during glycolosis?

The end result of glycolysis is a three-carbon product called pyruvate. However, three-carbon intermediates such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate are also produced and consumed during the process.


Name the two step process where pyruvate is converted to a two carbon compound releasing carbon dioxide. Then the electrons are transferred from a molecule of NADH to the two carbon compound producing?

The two-step process you are referring to is called the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. In the first step, pyruvate is decarboxylated to form a two-carbon compound called acetyl-CoA, releasing carbon dioxide. In the second step, electrons from a molecule of NADH are transferred to the acetyl-CoA molecule, producing NADH.


What three carbon compound is the most common end product of glycolysis?

Pyruvate is the most common end product of glycolysis.


Which compound cannot cross the inner membrane of mitochondria?

ATP, being a large hydrophilic molecule, cannot freely cross the inner membrane of mitochondria. It requires specific transporters, such as the adenine nucleotide translocase, for its entry into the mitochondrial matrix.


What enzyme converts pyruvate into acetyl-CoA?

The enzyme that converts pyruvate into acetyl-CoA is pyruvate dehydrogenase. This multienzyme complex is responsible for catalyzing the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, which is a key step in the metabolism of carbohydrates to produce energy.


Where can pyruvate dehydrogenase be found?

Pyruvate dehydrogenase is typically found in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells. It plays a critical role in the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, a key step in the process of aerobic respiration.


Is pyruvate an organic molecule?

Yes, pyruvate is an organic molecule. It is a key intermediate in cellular respiration and plays a crucial role in the production of energy in the form of ATP.


What is pyruvate kinase?

Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) is part of a group of disorders called hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemias.


In glycolysis what is the first three carbon compound produced?

The first three-carbon compound produced in glycolysis is glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) from the six-carbon glucose molecule. This occurs after the glucose molecule is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate.


What is the substance that enters the Krebs cycle from glycolysis?

The substance that enters the Krebs cycle from glycolysis is pyruvate. Pyruvate is converted into acetyl CoA, which then enters the Krebs cycle to undergo further oxidation to produce energy in the form of ATP.


What cannot be formed from pyruvate in human beings?

In humans, pyruvate cannot be directly converted into glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis. This is because humans lack the specific enzymes required to convert pyruvate into glucose. Pyruvate can be converted into lactate or acetyl-CoA, which can then enter various metabolic pathways in the body.