What are the products of pyruvate oxidation?

During pyruvate oxidation, which occurs in the mitochondria of the cell, pyruvate is converted into acetyl-CoA. The key products of this process include:

• Acetyl-CoA: This molecule enters the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) to be further oxidized for energy production.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): One molecule of CO₂ is released as a byproduct during the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, which is then exhaled.
• NADH: This electron carrier is generated in the process, capturing some of the energy released during this conversion. NADH will later be used in the electron transport chain to produce ATP.

In summary, the products of pyruvate oxidation are acetyl-CoA, carbon dioxide, and NADH. This process is crucial as it links glycolysis, where glucose is initially broken down, to the citric acid cycle, enhancing cellular respiration and energy production.