22: Carbohydrate Metabolism
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Thumbnail: Pyruvic acid is the simplest of the alpha-keto acids, with a carboxylic acid and a ketone functional group. Pyruvic acid supplies energy to cells through the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle) when oxygen is present (aerobic respiration), and alternatively ferments to produce lactate when oxygen is lacking (fermentation). Imag esed with permission (Public Domain; Benjah-bmm27).