BMAT 2005 Section 2 Question 7

During metabolism, two molecules of pyruvic acid, C3H4O3, are formed from one molecule
of glucose, C6H12O6.

Answer:

You will realise that the number of hydrogen atoms do not add up to the original 12. 
There are 4 hydrogen atoms in each molecule of pyruvic acid. Since there are two molecules, total number of hydrogen = 4 x 2 = 8

So 4 atoms of hydrogen are lost. When hydrogen is lost, the molecule becomes oxidised. Since one big molecule is broken into two smaller ones, decomposition occurs.

So the answer is A: oxidation and decomposition.

Sami Qamar

I’m Sami Qamar. I’m a YouTuber, Blogger, and first year med student.

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