pyruvates
Cellular energy intermediates
Pyruvates are salts or esters of pyruvic acid, a key compound in cellular metabolism.
In biochemistry, pyruvate (the singular form is more common) sits at a crucial junction where glucose breakdown meets energy production—it's the end product of glycolysis and the starting material for the citric acid cycle.
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts sometimes take pyruvate supplements with claims of enhanced fat burning, though evidence for such benefits remains limited.
Produce milk naturally
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
- anaerobicNot requiring oxygen
- yeastFermenting fungus
- lactic acidAnaerobic metabolism byproduct
alcohol · brewing · winemaking · sourdough · kimchi · kombucha · kefir · vinegar
Carboxyl group elimination
- acetyl-CoAActivated two-carbon metabolic intermediate
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- alpha-ketoglutarateTricarboxylic acid cycle metabolite
- malateMalic acid salt
aspartate · transamination · substrate · metabolite · phosphoenolpyruvate · thiamine · cofactor · kinetics
Cell's energy-producing organelles
- citric acid cycleAerobic respiration's central pathway
- acetyl-CoAActivated two-carbon metabolic intermediate
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- aerobicRequiring free oxygen
ATP · NADH · carbon dioxide · cellular respiration · bioenergetics
lactate
Produce milk naturally
lactic acid · alcohol · brewing · winemaking · sourdough · kimchi · kombucha · kefir · vinegar · pickling
decarboxylation
Carboxyl group elimination
- acetyl-CoAActivated two-carbon metabolic intermediate
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- alpha-ketoglutarateTricarboxylic acid cycle metabolite
malate · aspartate · transamination · substrate · metabolite · phosphoenolpyruvate · thiamine · cofactor · kinetics · catalysis
mitochondria
Cell's energy-producing organelles
- citric acid cycleAerobic respiration's central pathway
- acetyl-CoAActivated two-carbon metabolic intermediate
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
aerobic · ATP · NADH · carbon dioxide · cellular respiration · bioenergetics
glucose
Primary cellular fuel
pyruvatesacetyl-CoA
Activated two-carbon metabolic intermediate
glucose · citrate · ATP · carbon dioxide · lactate