Final answer:
Following glycolysis, pyruvate undergoes oxidation to form acetyl CoA, which enters the Krebs cycle. The first reaction of the Krebs cycle produces citric acid, leading to the generation of NADH, FADH2, and ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
Summary from Glycolysis End through First Krebs Cycle Reaction
At the end of glycolysis, two molecules of pyruvate are produced from one molecule of glucose. During pyruvate oxidation, each pyruvate molecule is transported into the mitochondrial matrix where it is converted into a two-carbon acetyl CoA molecule and carbon dioxide is released. The acetyl CoA then enters the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, where the first reaction combines acetyl CoA with oxaloacetate to form citric acid. This marks the beginning of a series of reactions that produce high-energy molecules such as NADH, FADH2, and a small amount of ATP.
In summary, the transition from glycolysis to the Krebs cycle involves the oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl CoA, release of carbon dioxide, and the capture of high-energy electrons in the form of NADH. The Krebs cycle continues the process of energy extraction, contributing to the overall production of ATP in cellular respiration.