Final answer:
The oxidation of pyruvate in eukaryotic cells takes place in the mitochondria, where it is converted into acetyl CoA for use in the citric acid cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
In eukaryotic cells, the oxidation of pyruvate produced from glycolysis occurs in an important organelle known as the mitochondria. These organelles are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell because they are responsible for producing the majority of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used as a source of chemical energy. After glycolysis in the cytoplasm, if oxygen is present, the pyruvate molecules are transported into the mitochondria where they are converted into an acetyl group that is then picked up by coenzyme A (CoA) to form acetyl CoA. Acetyl CoA is a critical compound in cellular respiration, as it feeds into the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, which is a key component of aerobic respiration.