Question

In acetyl CoA formation, the carbon-containing compound from glycolysis is oxidized to produce acetyl CoA. From the following compounds involved in cellular respiration, choose those that are the net inputs and net outputs of acetyl CoA formation.

Drag each compound to the appropriate bin. If a compound is not involved in acetyl CoA formation, drag it to the "not input or output" bin. (Note that not all of the inputs and outputs of acetyl CoA formation are included.)
a. Net input:
Pyruvate
Coenzyme A
NAD⁺
b. Net output:
CO₂
NADH
Acetyl CoA
c. Not input or output:
ATP
ADP
Glucose
O₂

Answer 1

Pyruvate, Coenzyme A, and NAD+ are the net inputs and CO2, NADH, and Acetyl CoA are the net outputs in the formation of acetyl CoA. ATP, ADP, Glucose, and O2 are not involved. Acetyl CoA plays a critical role in the citric acid cycle of cellular respiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the formation of acetyl CoA, which occurs during the cellular respiration process, pyruvate from glycolysis is oxidized. The correct net inputs for this reaction include Pyruvate, Coenzyme A, and NAD+. The net outputs of acetyl CoA formation are CO₂, NADH, and Acetyl CoA. Compounds not involved in the formation of acetyl CoA would be ATP, ADP, Glucose, and O₂.

The process occurs in the mitochondria where in the presence of oxygen, pyruvate undergoes a decarboxylation reaction, losing a carbon as CO₂, and the remaining two-carbon fragment binds to Coenzyme A to form acetyl CoA. This acetyl CoA then enters the citric acid cycle (or Krebs cycle), which is an essential pathway in cellular respiration.