Acetyl CoA Formation
In the previous step, glycolysis made 2 pyruvate as one of its outputs. These pyruvates are essential in the Acetyl CoA formation. The pyruvate formed is transported into the mitochondria. It is here in the matrix of the mitochondria that the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex takes place. This step oxidizes pyruvate and converts it to Acetyl CoA that is then used in the next step, the Krebs cycle. The initiator of the citric acid cycle is acetyl co-enzyme A so its formation is important. The creation of this enzyme is a crucial step in the cellular respiration cycle. From the last step glycolsis, pyruvate was made. Acetyl CoA's most important steps are the decarboxylation (1) and the addition of coenzyme A (3).The first step in acetyl CoA formation is to remove the carboxyl group which then releases CO2. By doing so, a two carbon compound is formed. This is all done through a process called oxidative decarboxylation with the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase. This two carbon compound is oxidized forming acetate (CH3COO-).When this occurs, energy is released and the extracted electrons then move to NAD+. NAD+ , an important co enzyme, removes two hydrogens and two electrons from the pyruvic acid. This then creates NADH which is important to regenerate NAD+. The last step is to add coenzyme A (a sulfur containing atom).Coenzyme A is attached to the acetate by its sulfur atom. By doing so, acetyl CoA is formed. Acetyl CoA has high potential energy making it a great resource to further cellular respiration.
This process is an essential part of the cellular respiration cycle. Without acetyl CoA , the Kreb's cycle would be halted. A brief summary of Acetyl CoA formation: in the mitochondrial matrix, a carboxyl group is removed releasing CO2 and NAD+ helps to remove hydrogens and electrons from the pyruvate making it possible to add coenzyme A thus creating Acetyl CoA. To do such an important process , 2 pyruvate 2 NAD and 2 CoA are needed to produce 2 acetyl CoA, 2 NADH, 2H and 2 CO2. These 2 acetyl CoA are then used in the Kreb's cycle to continue the process of cellular respiration.
Below are two public videos found on youtube to give a visual explanation of Acetyl CoA formation (we do not own these videos):
This process is an essential part of the cellular respiration cycle. Without acetyl CoA , the Kreb's cycle would be halted. A brief summary of Acetyl CoA formation: in the mitochondrial matrix, a carboxyl group is removed releasing CO2 and NAD+ helps to remove hydrogens and electrons from the pyruvate making it possible to add coenzyme A thus creating Acetyl CoA. To do such an important process , 2 pyruvate 2 NAD and 2 CoA are needed to produce 2 acetyl CoA, 2 NADH, 2H and 2 CO2. These 2 acetyl CoA are then used in the Kreb's cycle to continue the process of cellular respiration.
Below are two public videos found on youtube to give a visual explanation of Acetyl CoA formation (we do not own these videos):