The fate of pyruvate produced during glycolysis depends primarily on the availability of A) NAD⁺ to keep the pathway going. B) molecular oxygen. C) ADP for conversion to ATP. D) coenzyme A for further metabolism of pyruvate. E) phosphoric acid for the synthesis of ATP.

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Molecular oxygen is the primary factor that determines the fate of pyruvate produced during glycolysis. In the presence of oxygen, pyruvate enters the citric acid cycle for further metabolism, while in the absence of oxygen, pyruvate is converted to lactate or ethanol through fermentation.

The Fate of Pyruvate Produced During Glycolysis Depends Primarily on the Availability