Question

Formation of acetyl CoA from pyruvic acid takes place by ______.

Options

• oxidative phosphorylation

• oxidative dephosphorylation

• oxidative carboxylation

• oxidative decarboxylation

Answer 1

Formation of acetyl CoA from pyruvic acid takes place by oxidative decarboxylation.

Explanation:

Each molecule of glucose undergoes glycolysis, resulting in the creation of two molecules of pyruvic acid. Pyruvic acid is oxidatively decarboxylated to acetyl CoA by pyruvate dehydrogenase, a complicated enzyme. Per molecule of pyruvic acid acted on by pyruvate dehydrogenase, one molecule of carbon dioxide is released and one molecule of reduced co-enzyme NADH₂ is produced. By oxidative decarboxylation of two molecules of pyruvic acid per glucose molecule, two molecules of acetyl CoA are produced.