Formation of Acetyl-CoA
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Pyruvic acid is transported to the mitochondrion.
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Each pyruvic acid (a three-carbon molecule) is converted to acetyl-coenzyme
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A (a two-carbon molecule, usually just called acetyl-CoA) and CO2 is released.
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2 Pyruvic acid + 2 Coenzyme A + 2NAD+ → 2 Acetyl-CoA + 2CO2 + 2NADH
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From two 3- carbon molecules to now two 2-carbon molecules.
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The extra carbons leave the cell in the form of CO2. Once again, two molecules of NADH are also produced for each Glucose you started with.
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This process of turning pyruvic acid into acetyl-CoA is catalyzed by an enzyme complex called the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC).