What fraction of the carbon dioxide exhaled by animals is generated by the oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl CoA, if glucose is the sole energy source?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When glucose is metabolized via cellular respiration, it goes through glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. The conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA occurs during the transition step between glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. During this entire process, for every glucose molecule, 6 CO2 molecules are generated as waste products. Of these 6 CO2, 2 are generated during the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA (from one of the three irreversible steps in the Krebs cycle). Therefore, 2/6 or 1/3 of the CO2 exhaled by animals is generated by the oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl CoA when glucose is the sole energy source.

What Fraction of the Carbon Dioxide Exhaled by Animals Is