Bchintermediate
Compare the metabolic fate of pyruvate under anaerobic and aerobic conditions.
Answer
Anaerobically, pyruvate is reduced to lactate by lactate dehydrogenase, oxidizing NADH to NAD+ and enabling glycolysis to continue. Aerobically, pyruvate is oxidatively decarboxylated to acetyl-CoA, which enters the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle.
Explanation
### What a good answer covers
- Anaerobic metabolism converts pyruvate to lactate.
- Lactate dehydrogenase regenerates oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).
- Aerobic metabolism converts pyruvate to acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA).
- Acetyl-CoA enters the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle for further oxidation.
### Terms
- **Oxidative decarboxylation**: Removal of carbon dioxide while a molecule is oxidized.
- **Acetyl-CoA**: Activated acetyl group that enters the cycle.
### Remember
Lactate formation recycles NAD+; acetyl-CoA formation connects glycolysis to mitochondrial oxidation.
Related Questions
- Which enzyme deficiency can cause hemolysis after exposure to certain drugs because red blood cells cannot generate adequate reducing power?(advanced)
- Under anaerobic conditions, lactate dehydrogenase uses reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to reduce pyruvate and regenerate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+).(basic)
- Where do the enzymes of glycolysis operate, and what is its principal end product under anaerobic conditions?(basic)
- Which enzyme cleaves fructose-1-phosphate into glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone phosphate?(basic)
- Select ALL correct enzyme-product pairs in dietary carbohydrate digestion.(basic)
Want to practise more questions like this?
Join myBenkio free and practise past questions for your Nigerian university courses with AI explanations for every answer.
Start Practising Free