the link reaction

• the link reaction converts the pyruvate produced in glycolysis to acetyl coenzyme A
• • pyruvate is decarboxylated, so one carbon atom is removed from pyruvate in the form of carbon dioxide
  • at the same time pyruvate is oxidised to form acetate and NAD is reduced to form reduced NAD
  • acetate is then combined with coenzyme A (CoA) to form acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl CoA)
  • no ATP is produced in this reaction
• 2 pyruvate molecules are made for every glucose molecule that enters glycolysis

  this means that the link reaction and Krebs cycle happen 2x for every glucose molecule
• 2 acetyl coenzyme A - to the Krebs cycle

  2 carbon dioxide - released as a waste product

  2 reduced NAD - to oxidative phosphorylation