Pyruvate

Pyruvate has three different  fates. Under aerobic conditions,  pyruvate enters mitochondriaand is converted to acetyl CoA. The acetyl CoA enters thecitric acid cycle. Reducing equivalents  produce of  the citric acid cycle enter  the electrontransport chain where oxidation is completed and ATP is synthesized. A second fate ofpyruvate is conversion  to lactate. This takes place in anaerobic microorganisms  and inour own bodies when glycolysis occurs faster than the oxygen dependent citric acidcycle and electron transport  chain can operate. Some microorganisms convert pyruvateto ethanol, the third  fate of pyruvate.  In  each  of these  three  processes, NAD'  isregenerated so  that glycolysis can continue. We shall learn in greater details about thefirst two fates of pyruvate now, starting with formation of lactate.