Fate of pyruvic acid during aerobic respiration is

Options

A. lactic acid fermentation
B. alcoholic fermentation
C. oxidative decarboxylation
D. oxidative phosphorylation

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Glycolysis**: The process of aerobic respiration begins with glycolysis, where glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvic acid (pyruvate). Each pyruvate molecule is a three-carbon compound.

2. **Structure of Pyruvic Acid**: Pyruvic acid has the chemical formula CH3C(=O)COO-. It consists of three carbon atoms, and its structure includes a carbonyl group (C=O) and a carboxyl group (COO-).

3. **Link Reaction**: The next step after glycolysis is the link reaction (or pyruvate decarboxylation). In this reaction, each pyruvate molecule undergoes decarboxylation, where one carbon atom is removed in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2).

4. **Formation of Acetyl CoA**: After the removal of CO2, the remaining two-carbon molecule combines with coenzyme A (CoA) to form acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA). The reaction can be summarized as:
- Pyruvate (3 carbons) → Acetyl CoA (2 carbons) + CO2 (1 carbon)

5. **Entry into the Krebs Cycle**: The acetyl CoA then enters the mitochondria, where it participates in the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle). In this cycle, acetyl CoA combines with oxaloacetic acid to form citric acid, and the cycle continues, producing energy carriers and releasing CO2.

6. **Oxidative Decarboxylation**: The removal of CO2 during the conversion of pyruvic acid to acetyl CoA is termed oxidative decarboxylation. This is an essential step in aerobic respiration, as it links glycolysis to the Krebs cycle.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the fate of pyruvic acid during aerobic respiration is that it undergoes oxidative decarboxylation to form acetyl CoA, which then enters the Krebs cycle.

### Final Answer:
The fate of pyruvic acid during aerobic respiration is oxidative decarboxylation.

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