Illustrated · 1 min
Citric Acid Cycle Completes Oxidation of Pyruvate
Pyruvate is a three carbon molecule and is oxidized to CO2 via the citric acid cycle and Pyruvate dehydrogenase.
Let's first take a step back. Pyruvate is converted from glucose during a process called glycolysis.
Pyruvate dehydrogenase aids in converting pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, which is in turn used for the citric acid cycle.
"Following the initial oxidation of pyruvate, the citric acid cycle completes its oxidation to CO2 and more energy is captured in the form of reduced electron carriers."
References:
Life: The Science of Biology, Volume 1