Question

The complete oxidation of one pyruvate by the stepwise removal of hydrogen atoms produces:

• A. Two molecules of $FAD{H}_2$
• B. Three molecules of $C{O}_2$
• C. Two molecules of $GTP$
• D. Two molecules of $NADP{H}_2$

Answer 1

The correct option is B Three molecules of $C{O}_2$

Pyruvate produced during glycolysis enters into the mitochondria if oxygen is available in the cell. It undergoes complete oxidation by the stepwise removal of all the hydrogen atoms and produces three molecules of $C{O}_2$.
One molecule of carbon dioxide is produced during oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate and two molecules of carbon dioxide are produced during the Krebs or citric acid cycle.