Question

Which molecules is converted directly to acetyl CoA without the intermediate step of being converted first to pyruvate

Answer 1

Fatty acids

Step-by-step explanation:

Acetyl coA is a compound vital for the process of cellular respiration in the mitochondria. It is the starting material of the kreb's cycle or TCA cycle, which takes place in the mitochondria. During the metabolism of glucose (glycolysis), a molecule called PYRUVATE is first synthesized before becoming acetyl coA in the mitochondrion.

However, the metabolism of FATTY ACIDS (monomers of lipids) directly gives rise to acetyl coA without first becoming pyruvate. The fatty acids molecule undergo Beta- oxidation to produce acetyl coA, which enters the TCA cycle to continue cellular respiration.