pyruvic
Three-carbon acid
Pyruvic appears almost exclusively in the phrase pyruvic acid, a compound central to cellular metabolism.
It sits at the crossroads of biochemical pathways—the end product of glycolysis and the starting point for the citric acid cycle.
Outside chemistry and biology, the word sees little use.
Glucose metabolism producing ATP
- acetyl-CoAActivated two-carbon metabolic intermediate
- decarboxylationCarboxyl group elimination
- phosphoenolpyruvateGlycolysis's penultimate metabolite
- lactateProduce milk naturally
alanine · transamination · substrate · cofactor · thiamine
Cell's energy-producing organelles
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- NADHElectron-carrying coenzyme
- acetyl-CoAActivated two-carbon metabolic intermediate
- citric acid cycleAerobic respiration's central pathway
aerobic respiration · carbon dioxide · oxygen consumption · cellular energy · bioenergetics · malate · alpha-ketoglutarate · energy conversion
Anaerobic metabolism byproduct
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
- anaerobicNot requiring oxygen
- yeastFermenting fungus
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
acetaldehyde · brewing · sourdough · yogurt · sauerkraut · kimchi · muscle fatigue · oxygen debt
Carbonyl between two carbons
- carbonylC=O functional group
- carboxyl-COOH functional group
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- acidityLow pH condition
glycolysis
Glucose metabolism producing ATP
- acetyl-CoAActivated two-carbon metabolic intermediate
- decarboxylationCarboxyl group elimination
- phosphoenolpyruvateGlycolysis's penultimate metabolite
lactate · alanine · transamination · substrate · cofactor · thiamine
mitochondria
Cell's energy-producing organelles
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- NADHElectron-carrying coenzyme
- acetyl-CoAActivated two-carbon metabolic intermediate
citric acid cycle · aerobic respiration · carbon dioxide · oxygen consumption · cellular energy · bioenergetics · malate · alpha-ketoglutarate · energy conversion · inner membrane
lactic acid
Anaerobic metabolism byproduct
fermentation · acetaldehyde · brewing · sourdough · yogurt · sauerkraut · kimchi · muscle fatigue · oxygen debt · anaerobic respiration
ketone
Carbonyl between two carbons
- carbonylC=O functional group
- carboxyl-COOH functional group
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
acidity · pKa · dissociation · molecular formula · biomolecule