Question

How many $ATP$ is produced from 1 Pyruvate?

Answer 1

Hint : Pyruvate is a very important chemical compound in biochemistry and in our body. It is the output of the metabolism of glucose, which is known as glycolysis. Pyruvate can be converted into carbohydrates by a process known as gluconeogenesis. It can also be converted into fatty acids or energy through acetyl-CoA and to the amino acid alanine and to ethanol.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Carboxylate group of pyruvate is removed as $C{O_2}$ . The acetyl group formed is then activated by linking it to Coenzyme-A to yield Acetyl Coenzyme-A. Oxidation of an acetyl CoA through TCA cycle yields 15 ATPs
One molecule of pyruvate, which is a 3 carbon compound produces four molecules of $NADH$ , one molecule of $FAD{H_2}\;$ and one molecule of $ATP$ by undergoing processes such as oxidative decarboxylation and Krebs cycle. Also, one molecule of $FAD{H_2}\;$ and four molecules of $NADH$ produce 2 and $12{\text{ }}(4 \times 3)$ $ATP$ molecules, respectively by oxidation in the electron transport system (ETS). So we can say that in total 15 $ATP$ s are produced from one molecule of pyruvate.
The primary function of the pyruvate molecule is to act as the transport molecule which carries carbon atoms into the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell for complete oxidation to carbon dioxide and thus give energy to the body.

Note :
$NADH$ Is responsible for the production of 3 $ATP$ molecules by participating in the electron transport chain. Some literature suggests that the P/O ratio of $NADH$ is 2.5 $ATP/NADH$ . One molecule of $FAD{H_2}\;$ will give 2 $ATP$ from the electron transport chain. Nut recent studies suggest that this value may be 1.5 $ATP/FAD{H_2}\;$