What happens to pyruvic acid in the Krebs cycle?

Pyruvic acid (pyruvate) is converted into acetyl-CoA before entering the Krebs cycle. This occurs through a process called pyruvate decarboxylation in the mitochondria, where pyruvate is decarboxylated (loses a carbon atom) and then attached to coenzyme A, forming acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA then enters the Krebs cycle, where it is oxidized to produce energy.