Pyruvate dehydrogenase is used in converting

Options

A. glucose to pyruvate
B. pyruvic acid to lactic acid
C. pyruvate to acetyl CoA
D. pyruvate to glucose

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Pyruvate Dehydrogenase**: Pyruvate dehydrogenase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in cellular respiration. It is involved in the conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA.

2. **Role of Pyruvate**: Pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis, which is the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to produce energy.

3. **Conversion Process**: The specific reaction catalyzed by pyruvate dehydrogenase is known as oxidative decarboxylation. In this process, one molecule of carbon dioxide is released from pyruvate.

4. **Formation of Acetyl-CoA**: During the reaction, NAD+ is reduced to NADH, and coenzyme A (CoA) is added to the remaining two-carbon molecule, resulting in the formation of acetyl-CoA.

5. **Significance of Acetyl-CoA**: Acetyl-CoA is a key molecule that enters the Krebs cycle (also known as the TCA cycle), which is essential for further energy production in the cell.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct conversion that pyruvate dehydrogenase facilitates is the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA.

**Final Answer**: Pyruvate dehydrogenase is used in converting pyruvate to acetyl-CoA.

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