Chapter 23, Problem 23.22E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The fate of the pyruvate molecule’s carboxylate group during alcoholic fermentation is to be stated and an explanation as to how ethanol formation from pyruvate allows yeast to survive with limited oxygen supplies is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

The fate of pyruvate is that it is used to generate energy that is variable. There are three different fates of pyruvate.

• Oxidation to acetyl $\text{CoA}$

• Reduction to lactate

• Reduction to ethanol.

An alcoholic fermentation is the biological process which converts sugars such as glucose, fructose and sucrose into cellular energy along with the formation of ethanol and carbon dioxide as by products. Several organisms, including yeast have developed a pathway for the regeneration of ${\text{NAD}}^{\text{+}}$ under anaerobic conditions.