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whatis pyruvate
Pyruvate is the molecule that is left over when a cell breaks down glucose during glycolysis. (Glycolysis is the process that all cells use to break down glucose for energy.) The leftover molecule can either be further processed by entering the mitochondrion for aerobic respiration or changed into ethanol or lactic acid during fermentation.

Pyruvate is also called pyruvic acid. It is classified as a ketone. Ketones are organic compounds that have a carbon that is double-bonded to an oxygen and bound to two different variable groups. The formula is R-C=O-R'. R and R' can be anything that will form a single bond with the central carbon. In the case of pyruvate, R is CH3 and R' is O=C-OH.


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