The three-carbon molecules broken down from six-carbon molecules of glucose during the first step in the process of nutrition in all organisms is called:

Options

A. methane
B. butane
C. pyruvate
D. ethane

Answer

C

Explanation

Pyruvate is generated through glycolysis. Glycolysis begins with the six-carbon monosaccharide - glucose. In the first few steps, glucose undergoes phosphorylation and isomerization to produce fructose-6-phosphate. Another phosphorylation reaction facilitates the splitting of this hexose sugar into two 3-carbon molecules - glyceraldehyde phosphate (G3P) and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP). These initial steps require the input of energy and utilize two molecules of ATP for every molecule of glucose, but result in the major transformation of a hexose into two triose molecules.