What does the oxidative decarboxylation of two pyruvates yield?

A) 2 G3P
B) 2 glucose molecules
C) 2 ATP + 4 CO₂ + 2 NADH
D) 1 fructose-1,6-bisphosphate
E) 2 acetyl CoA + 2 CO₂ + 2 NADH

Oxidative Decarboxylation

A metabolic process in which a carboxyl group is removed from a molecule as CO2, typically coupled with the reduction of NAD+ to NADH.

Pyruvates

The ionized form of pyruvic acid, a key intermediate in several metabolic pathways, including glycolysis.

Acetyl CoA

A molecule that plays a key role in metabolism, serving as a substrate for the Krebs cycle and fatty acid synthesis; it links glycolysis and pyruvate oxidation with the citric acid cycle.