Pyruvic acid before combining with oxaloacetic acid of citric acid cycle becomes

Explanation:

• Pyruvate or pyruvic acid, which is formed by the glycolytic catabolism of carbohydrates in the cytosol, after it enters the mitochondrial matrix undergoes oxidative decarboxylation by a complex set of reactions catalyzed by pyruvic dehydrogenase.
• The reactions catalyzed by pyruvic dehydrogenase require the participation of several coenzymes, including NAD⁺ and Coenzyme A. This process is called Link reaction or gateway reaction.
• During this process, two molecules of NADH are produced from the metabolism of two molecules of pyruvic acid (produced from one glucose molecule during glycolysis)
• The acetyl CoA then enters a cyclic pathway, the citric acid cycle more commonly called Krebs’ cycle after the scientist Hans Krebs who first elucidated it.

• Thus, Pyruvic acid before combining with oxaloacetic acid of the citric acid cycle becomes Acetyl CoA​

Additional Information

• Under anaerobic conditions, the pyruvic acid undergoes partial oxidation to form lactic acid. This process is catalyzed by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase
• During the Kreb's cycle, Acetyl CoA condenses with Oxaloacetic acid to form Citric acid. This Citric acid is then converted into Cis Aconitic acid in the presence of enzyme Aconitase.