Which of the following are produced when pyruvate is oxidized to acetyl-CoA during cellular respiration?

• A. NADH, CO\(_2\), and acetyl-CoA
• B. ATP, FADH\(_2\), and lactate
• C. NADPH, O\(_2\), and citrate
• D. GTP, CO\(_2\), and oxaloacetate

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context: Pyruvate oxidation is a key step in cellular respiration that occurs in the mitochondrial matrix. It links glycolysis to the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle). During this process, pyruvate is converted into acetyl-CoA by the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.
2. Identify the reactants and products: Pyruvate (a 3-carbon molecule) is oxidized, resulting in the production of acetyl-CoA (a 2-carbon molecule attached to coenzyme A), carbon dioxide (CO\(_2\)), and NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).
3. Recall the role of NADH: During pyruvate oxidation, one molecule of NAD\(^+\) is reduced to NADH. This is an important step as NADH will later donate electrons to the electron transport chain to produce ATP.
4. Understand the release of CO\(_2\): One carbon atom from pyruvate is released as CO\(_2\) during the decarboxylation step, reducing the 3-carbon pyruvate to a 2-carbon acetyl group.
5. Eliminate incorrect options: ATP, FADH\(_2\), lactate, NADPH, O\(_2\), citrate, GTP, and oxaloacetate are not products of pyruvate oxidation. The correct answer includes NADH, CO\(_2\), and acetyl-CoA.