Number of ATP produced from one pyruvic acid during conversion to acetyl CoA is

Options

A. 3
B. 5
C. 8
D. 15

Explanation

To determine the number of ATP produced from one pyruvic acid during its conversion to acetyl CoA, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Source of Pyruvic Acid**:
- Pyruvic acid is produced at the end of glycolysis, which breaks down glucose into two molecules of pyruvic acid. However, we are focusing on just one pyruvic acid molecule.

2. **Identify the Link Reaction**:
- The conversion of pyruvic acid to acetyl CoA occurs in a process known as the link reaction (or pyruvate decarboxylation). This reaction connects glycolysis to the Krebs cycle.

3. **Chemical Changes During the Link Reaction**:
- In this reaction, one molecule of pyruvic acid (which is a 3-carbon compound) is converted into acetyl CoA (a 2-carbon compound). During this process, one carbon atom is released as carbon dioxide (CO2).

4. **NAD+ Reduction**:
- During the conversion, NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is reduced to NADH. Specifically, for each pyruvic acid molecule, one NAD+ is converted to one NADH.

5. **ATP Yield from NADH**:
- Each NADH produced can generate approximately 3 ATP molecules during oxidative phosphorylation in the electron transport chain.

6. **Final Calculation**:
- Since from one pyruvic acid molecule, one NADH is produced, and this NADH yields 3 ATP, the total ATP produced from the conversion of one pyruvic acid to acetyl CoA is 3 ATP.

### Conclusion:
Thus, the number of ATP produced from one pyruvic acid during its conversion to acetyl CoA is **3 ATP**.

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