Multiple Choice
Which of the following coenzymes are required for the oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex?
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Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism
Pyruvate Oxidation
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Which of the following products result from the oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA?
A
NADPH, CO$_2$, and acetyl-CoA
B
NADH, CO$_2$, and acetyl-CoA
C
FADH$_2$, CO$_2$, and acetyl-CoA
D
ATP, CO$_2$, and acetyl-CoA
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the context of the problem. Pyruvate oxidation is a key step in cellular respiration, occurring in the mitochondria. It converts pyruvate (produced during glycolysis) into acetyl-CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle.
Step 2: Recall the enzymatic reaction involved. Pyruvate oxidation is catalyzed by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). This multi-enzyme complex facilitates the decarboxylation of pyruvate, releasing CO$_2$, and the transfer of electrons to NAD$^+$ to form NADH.
Step 3: Identify the products of the reaction. During pyruvate oxidation, the following products are formed: acetyl-CoA (used in the citric acid cycle), CO$_2$ (released as a byproduct), and NADH (used in the electron transport chain for ATP production).
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options based on the reaction. NADPH is not produced in this reaction; it is typically involved in anabolic pathways. FADH$_2$ is generated in later steps of cellular respiration, not during pyruvate oxidation. ATP is not directly produced in this step either.
Step 5: Confirm the correct answer. The correct combination of products resulting from pyruvate oxidation is NADH, CO$_2$, and acetyl-CoA.
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