For formation of ethanol, pyruvic acid is first changed to acetaldehyde by enzyme

Options

A. decarboxylase
B. dehydrogenase
C. decarboxylase and dehydrogenase
D. oxidase and decarboxylase

Answer

To solve the question regarding the formation of ethanol from pyruvic acid, we need to understand the biochemical pathway involved. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Starting Compound**:
- The process begins with pyruvic acid (pyruvate), which is a key intermediate in various metabolic pathways, including fermentation.

2. **Conversion of Pyruvic Acid**:
- To form ethanol, pyruvic acid must first be converted into acetaldehyde. This conversion is crucial in the fermentation process.

3. **Identifying the Enzyme**:
- The enzyme responsible for this conversion is known as pyruvate decarboxylase. This enzyme catalyzes the decarboxylation of pyruvate, removing a carbon dioxide molecule and forming acetaldehyde.

4. **Final Product Formation**:
- After the formation of acetaldehyde, it can then be reduced to ethanol by another enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase.

5. **Choosing the Correct Option**:
- Among the options provided, the correct enzyme that converts pyruvic acid to acetaldehyde is **pyruvate decarboxylase**.

### Final Answer:
- The correct answer is **pyruvate decarboxylase**.

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