Cell Biology
Pyruvate is a key intermediate in cellular metabolism that forms from the breakdown of glucose during glycolysis. It acts as a crucial junction point, linking anaerobic and aerobic respiration processes, where it can be converted into acetyl-CoA for the citric acid cycle or fermented to produce energy in low-oxygen environments. Understanding pyruvate is essential for grasping how cells extract energy from nutrients and regulate metabolic pathways.
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