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Pyruvate can follow five potential metabolic fates, depending on the organism and conditions: 1) Conversion to Acetyl-CoA: In aerobic respiration, pyruvate is converted into acetyl-CoA for entry into the citric acid cycle. 2) Lactic Acid Fermentation: In anaerobic conditions, pyruvate is converted into lactate to regenerate NAD+ for glycolysis. 3) Alcoholic Fermentation: In yeast and certain microorganisms, pyruvate is converted into ethanol and CO2. 4) Gluconeogenesis: In some conditions, pyruvate is used as a precursor for glucose synthesis, especially in liver cells. 5) Amino Acid Synthesis: Pyruvate can be converted into certain amino acids like alanine through transamination reactions, contributing to protein synthesis.
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