which of the following is a charateristics of the krebs cycle? A. Pyruvic acid is broken down into carbon dioxide B. Glucose is broken down into pyruvic acid and carbon compounds C. ADP is generated
Biology · High School · Mon Jan 18 2021
Answered on
Option a is correct.
Within the mitochondria, each pyruvate is broken apart and combined with a coenzyme known as CoA to form a 2-carbon molecule, Acetyl-CoA, which can enter the Krebs Cycle. A single atom of carbon (per pyruvate) is “lost” as carbon dioxide. The energy released in this breakdown is captured in two NADH molecules.
The Krebs cycle uses the two molecules of pyruvic acid formed in glycolysis and yields high-energy molecules of NADH and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH2), as well as some ATP.