What are the chemical changes in a pyruvic acid molecule before it enters mitochondria ?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Text Solution

1. **Understanding Glycolysis**:
- Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvic acid. This process occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell and involves the partial oxidation of glucose, resulting in the production of two molecules of pyruvic acid from one molecule of glucose.

2. **Oxidative Decarboxylation**:
- Before pyruvic acid can enter the mitochondria, it undergoes a process called oxidative decarboxylation. This is a crucial step that prepares pyruvic acid for entry into the Krebs cycle.

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