What is the fate of pyruvate after glycolysis?
What is the fate of pyruvate after glycolysis?
Answered
After glycolysis, the fate of pyruvate depends on the presence or absence of oxygen. In the presence of oxygen (aerobic conditions), pyruvate is transported into the mitochondria where it is converted into acetyl-CoA by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. This acetyl-CoA enters the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) to undergo further oxidation, producing ATP, NADH, FADH2, and CO2. In the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions), pyruvate undergoes fermentation to regenerate NAD+, which is essential for glycolysis to continue. In muscle cells, pyruvate is converted into lactate (lactic acid fermentation), while in yeast and some microorganisms, it is converted into ethanol and CO2 (alcoholic fermentation). Both anaerobic pathways produce far less ATP than aerobic respiration.
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