During the link reaction, which two products are produced from pyruvate?

In the link reaction, also known as the transition reaction or pyruvate oxidation, pyruvate is converted into acetyl-CoA, which then enters the Krebs cycle. During this conversion, pyruvate undergoes decarboxylation, a process in which one carbon atom is removed from the three-carbon pyruvate molecule, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide.

Additionally, as the pyruvate molecule is oxidized, NAD+ acts as an electron carrier and is reduced to NADH. Thus, for each molecule of pyruvate that is processed, one molecule of carbon dioxide and one molecule of NADH are produced. This makes the formation of NADH and carbon dioxide the correct response, as these products are directly generated in the link reaction and are vital for subsequent aerobic respiration processes.

The other options do not accurately reflect the products of the link reaction; ATP and NADPH are not directly produced during this stage, and FADH2 and oxygen are not involved in the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA.