Question

What is the metabolic fate of pyruvate?

Answer 1

Pyruvate:

1. Pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis.
2. Two molecules of pyruvate are produced by the partial oxidation of glucose through glycolysis.

Three ways by which pyruvate is utilized by cells after glycolysis are:

1. Aerobic respiration: Pyruvate is oxidatively decarboxylated into Acetyl CoA which further moves into the Krebs cycle.
2. Lactic acid fermentation: Pyruvate reacts with the Lactate dehydrogenase enzyme to produce Lactic Acid and molecules of ATP.
3. Alcoholic fermentation: Pyruvate is converted to Acetaldehyde and Acetaldehyde into Ethanol along with a mole of carbon dioxide gas-producing molecules of ATP.