In the conversion of pyruvic acid to acetyl coenzyme A, pyruvic acid is :

Options

A. A) oxidized
B. B) reduced
C. C) isomerised
D. D) inactivated

Explanation

To solve the question about the conversion of pyruvic acid to acetyl coenzyme A, we can break it down into the following steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Process
Pyruvic acid is the end product of glycolysis, and before it can enter the Krebs cycle, it must be converted into acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA). This conversion occurs in the mitochondria.

### Step 2: Identify the Reaction Type
The conversion of pyruvic acid to acetyl CoA involves a specific type of reaction known as oxidative decarboxylation. In this process, a carbon atom is removed from pyruvic acid in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), and the remaining two-carbon molecule is then combined with coenzyme A.

### Step 3: Determine the Changes to Pyruvic Acid
During this conversion:
- **Oxidation** occurs: Pyruvic acid loses electrons and hydrogen atoms, which means it is oxidized.
- **Decarboxylation** occurs: A carboxyl group (-COOH) is removed from pyruvic acid, releasing CO2.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Since the question specifically asks about the state of pyruvic acid during this conversion, we can conclude that pyruvic acid is oxidized in the process of forming acetyl coenzyme A.

### Final Answer
Thus, in the conversion of pyruvic acid to acetyl coenzyme A, pyruvic acid is **oxidized**.

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