Pyruvic acid, the key product of glycolysis can have many metabolic fates. Under aerobic condition it forms

Options

A. Lactic acid
B. `CO_(2)+H_(2)O`
C. Acetyl CoA + `CO_(2)`
D. Ethanol + `CO_(2)`

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Glycolysis**: Glycolysis is the first step of cellular respiration where glucose, a six-carbon sugar, is broken down into two molecules of pyruvic acid (pyruvate), which is a three-carbon compound (C3H4O3).

2. **Aerobic Conditions**: Under aerobic conditions, which means in the presence of oxygen, pyruvic acid does not remain in its original form. Instead, it undergoes further processing.

3. **Conversion to Acetyl Coenzyme**: The pyruvic acid is transported into the mitochondria, where it is converted into acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA). During this conversion, one carbon atom is removed from the pyruvic acid, and this carbon is released in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2).

4. **Summary of Products**: Therefore, the main products formed from pyruvic acid under aerobic conditions are acetyl coenzyme A and carbon dioxide.

5. **Further Metabolic Pathways**: Acetyl CoA then enters the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle), where it is further oxidized to produce ATP and other high-energy molecules.

**Final Answer**: Under aerobic conditions, pyruvic acid forms acetyl coenzyme A and carbon dioxide.

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