pyruvic acid A three-carbon keto acid (i.e. containing a ketone group) that occupies a central position in cell metabolism. It represents the final product of glycolysis in aerobic respiration and subsequently undergoes oxidation to carbon dioxide and acetyl coenzyme A. During anaerobic respiration it is reversibly converted to lactic acid in animal cells. It may also be variously converted into alanine, malic acid, and oxaloacetic acid.

pyruvic acid A 3-carbon keto acid that occupies a central position in cell metabolism. It represents the final product of glycolysis in aerobic respiration, and subsequently undergoes oxidation to carbon dioxide and acetyl coenzyme A. During anaerobic respiration it is irreversibly converted to ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide in plant cells (and reversibly to lactic acid in animal cells). It may also be variously converted into alanine, malic acid, and oxaloacetic acid.

pyruvic acid An intermediate in the metabolism of carbohydrates, formed by the anaerobic metabolism of glucose. It may then either be converted to acetyl CoA, and oxidized through the citric acid cycle, or be reduced to lactic acid. The oxidation to acetyl CoA is thiamin dependent, and blood concentrations of pyruvate and lactate rise in thiamin deficiency.

pyruvic acid (2-oxopropanoic acid) A colourless liquid organic acid, CH₃COCOOH. Pyruvate is an important intermediate compound in metabolism, being produced during glycolysis and converted to acetyl coenzyme A, required for the Krebs cycle. Under anaerobic conditions pyruvate is converted to lactate or ethanol.

pyruvic acid (pyruvate) (py-roo-vik) n. a compound, derived from carbohydrates, that may be oxidized in the Krebs cycle to yield carbon dioxide and energy in the form of ATP.