If a cell needs energy and oxygen is available, pyruvate enters which part of the cell?

Question

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When a cell has energy demands and oxygen is available, the fate of pyruvate is to enter the mitochondria where it's further processed to generate more ATP through the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
Option: Ribosome — This is the site of protein synthesis in the cytosol and on rough endoplasmic reticulum, not a gateway for metabolic intermediates into energy-producing pathways. Pyruvate does not enter ribosomes.
Option: Cell wall — This structure provides support and protects the cell, but it is not a metabolic compartment for pyruvate handling, and cells don’t transport pyruvate into a cell wall.
Option: Cytoplasm — While glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm and produces pyruvate, the question specifies entry when oxygen is available for energy production; under aerobic conditions, pyruvate is shuttled into mitochondria rather than simply staying in the cytoplasm for further oxidation.
Option: Nucleus — The nucleus houses genetic material and hasn’t a role as a metabolic entry point for pyruvate in energy metabolism.
Option: Mitochondria — The mitochondrial matrix is the hub for pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, converting pyruvate into acetyl-CoA to feed the citric acid cycle, yielding NADH/FADH2 for the electron transport chain and subsequent ATP production. This makes mitochondria the correct location for pyruvate entry under aerobic conditions.

NTR 312 Quiz 5_Metabolism_S25

If a cell needs energy and oxygen is available, pyruvate enters which part of the cell?

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NTR 312 Quiz 5_Metabolism_S25

If a cell needs energy and oxygen is available, pyruvate enters which part of the cell?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Question at position 93 The final electron acceptor in aerobic cellular respiration is:FADH2NADHO2CO2

Question at position 3 Aerobic respiration is the way that we:produce CO2 from O2make ATP from CO2produce O2 from CO2synthesize glucoseget chemical energy from our food

Which one of the following types of organisms does not use or make ATP?

Oxygen is not used at any point in the citric acid cycle. However, the cycle will not work without oxygen because

In aerobic organisms, the ultimate electron acceptor in the _____ of carbon fuels is _____.

One of the following was either used or produced in both pyruvate processing and the citric acid cycle - which one?

Which one of the following does not take place in the mitochondrial matrix?

According to the video, which one of the following best describes the role of the mitochondrion?

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Making Your Study Simpler

In aerobic organisms, the ultimate electron acceptor in the _ of carbon fuels is _.