Ask a Teacher

Search



WHAT IS PYRUVATE?
Pyruvate is a derivative of pyruvate acid and plays a role in glycolysis, or sugar metabolism. While the human body naturally synthesizes this compound from glucose.The energy-producing benefit of this nutrient occurs through a mechanism called the Krebs cycle. First, it is converted into acetyl-coenzyme A, an event that triggers a series of biochemical reactions that begins with the oxidation of glucose components into carbon dioxide during cellular respiration and results in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is used to fuel cells. This process is also known as the citric acid cycle, or the tricarboxylic acid cycle.