Chapter 6.5, Problem 1MC

Summary Introduction

To determine:

What happens to the other carbon atom of pyruvate atom as pyruvate has three carbon atom and acetyl group has only two.

Concept introduction:

Pyruvate is a three carbon sugar, which is formed by the breakdown of six carbon glucose molecules during glycolysis.

The large macromolecules like proteins, carbohydrates and fats are broken down into simpler forms to release energy. The simpler molecules are then further broken down to $\text{acetyl}\text{CoA}$ which transports acetyl group required for the Krebs cycle to release energy.