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The two pyruvate molecules then move toward the mitochondria
in order to enter the citric acid cycle, but they need to be escorted into the citric acid cycle.
Coenzyme A is a molecule that acts as an escort for the molecules. When CoA attaches to the pyruvate,
it removes a Carbon that is lost as CO2 waste
The resulting two carbon molecules linked to coA are called Acetyl coA.
Acetyl coA enters the citric acid cycle where the coA lets go and the two carbon molecules link to a 4 carbon molecule called
oxaloacetate to form a six carbon citrate or citric acid molecule.
***+ picks up an electron from the citrate becomes NADH and heads to the electron transport chain.
A carbon molecule is lost by citrate to CO2 and it becomes a five carbon molecule.
Another carbon molecule is lost to CO2 and it becomes a four carbon molecule
A phosphate group is added to an ADP molecule making ATP.
FAD then picks up an electron to become FADH2 and heads to the electron transport chain.
***+ picks up an electron, becomes NADH and heads to the electron transport chain.
The 4 carbon molecule left in the cycle is oxaloacetate which can link to another acetyl molecule and the cycle can repeat.