the mitochondria
Aerobic respiration begins with the entry of the product of glycolysis, pyruvate, into the mitochondria. For each initial glucose molecules, two pyruvate molecules will enter the mitochondria. Pyruvate, however, is not the molecule that enters the Krebs cycle. Prior to entry into this cycle, pyruvate must be converted into a 2-carbon acetyl-CoenzymeA acetyl-CoA unit. The conversion of pyruvate into acetyl-CoA is referred to as the pyruvate dehydrogenase reaction. It is catalyzed by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. This process produces one NADH electron carrier while releasing a CO 2 molecule. This step is also known as the link reaction or transition step, as it links glycolysis and the Krebs cycle. Of course, as two pyruvates result from glycolysis, two acetyl-CoAs are produced as are 2 NADH molecules.