* 1 molecule of NADH: This is a reduced electron carrier that will be used in the electron transport chain to generate ATP.
* 1 molecule of CO2: This is a waste product that is exhaled from the body.
* 1 molecule of acetyl-CoA: This is the key product that enters the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle).
Here's a summary of the reaction:
Pyruvate + NAD+ + CoA → Acetyl-CoA + NADH + CO2
Important Notes:
* Pyruvate oxidation occurs in the mitochondrial matrix of eukaryotic cells.
* This process is a crucial step in cellular respiration, linking glycolysis (which occurs in the cytoplasm) to the Krebs cycle.
* The acetyl-CoA produced will be used to generate ATP through the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.