How Pyruvate Becomes Acetyl CoA

Pyruvate is prepared for the next stage of cellular respiration inside the mitochondria. After glycolysis, the charged pyruvate molecules enter the mitochondria by active transport. There, they go through three enzymatic reactions so the energy stored in pyruvate can be used by the cell.

First, p...

In the presence of oxygen, the charged pyruvate molecules — the final product of glycolysis, must enter the eukaryotic mitochondria to undergo pyruvate oxidation.

Since the enzymes for the reaction are present in the mitochondrial matrix, pyruvate needs to cross the mitochondrial double membrane.

Thus, it uses the porins present on...