Question

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex catalyzes an oxidative decarboxylation, an irreversible oxidation process. What does irreversible oxidation mean? What will happen if irreversible oxidation is reversed?

Answer 1

Explanation: Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex catalyzes the reaction of

 Pyruvate + NAD + Coenzyme A (CoA) ⇒ Acetyl CoA + NADH + CO2

  This is a oxidative decarboxylation which cannot be reversed or in other words Acetyl CoA cannot be converted into pyruvate again unlike lot of reaction in glycolysis which can be reversed.