Respiration question

[FutureDental88]

Is Pyruvate processing the same thing as Pyruvate decarboxylation? Is it just different names for the same reaction, or is it actually different reactions? Please help.

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[dentalWorks]

Is Pyruvate processing the same thing as Pyruvate decarboxylation? Is it just different names for the same reaction, or is it actually different reactions? Please help.

I don't agree they are the same things.

You see, Pyruvate has multiple fates:
1) Eukaryotes (aerobic conditions): pyruvate gets decarboxylated (loses CO2) to become Acetyle-CoA (enters Cirtric Acid Cycle)

2) Eukaryotes (anerobic conditions): pyruvate gets 2 Hs added to it and converts into Lactate (the burning sensation you feel when you are weight training, thats lactic acid) ~ no decarboxylation in this process

3) Bacteria / yeast (anaerobic conditions): pyruvate goes into fermentation to become ethanol. This process does use decarboxylation (lossing CO2):