Why is pyruvate imported from the cytoplasm into the mitochondrial matrix?

Question

Biology

Martin Gentry

7 October, 05:59

Why is pyruvate imported from the cytoplasm into the mitochondrial matrix?

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Answers (1)

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London Moses · Answer 1

So that oxidation of pyruvate can take place in mitochondria.

Explanation:

Pyruvates is produced in the glycolysis process which occurs in the cytoplasm. So pyruvate is produced in the cytoplasm of the cell. Pyruvate is produced by partial oxidation of glucose and to be fully oxidized it has to enter in the mitochondria.

So after entering the mitochondria the pyruvate first converts into acetyl CoA than this acetyl CoA enters in the citric acid cycle and fully oxidized into CO2. This oxidation generated NADP and FADH2 which provide reducing power during oxidative phosphorylation.