Question

After glycolysis, which of the following is transported across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the matrix?

(a) Pyruvate

(b) Acetyl CoA

(c) ATP molecules

(d) Coenzyme A

The question was asked by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

This question is from Mitochondrial Structure and Function in portion Mitochondrial Structure and Function of Cell Biology

Answer 1

Right answer is (a) Pyruvate

Easy explanation: Each pyruvate molecule produced in cytosol during Glycolysis is transported across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the mitochondrial matrix. Pyruvate is then decarboxylated to produce Acetyl group (CH3COO^–) The Acetyl group is transferred to Coenzyme A to produce acetyl CoA.