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Differences Between Pyruvic Acid & Pyruvate

Biochemistry reaction can refer to the same substance, which can take on different forms. The interchangeable but differentiable pyruvic acid and pyruvate are an example. Both substances are used in biological pathways, yet are closely related.

  1. Pyruvic Acid Structure

    • In biochemistry, compounds are abbreviated using letters to show you what their chemical makeup is. Pyruvic acid is CH3COCOOH. Pyruvic acid has two groups attached to it to make it react the way it does: it has a ketone functional group and a carboxylic acid group. When a molecule has those two groups attached, it is called an alpha-keto acid. The carboxylic acid group looks like COOH and allows the molecule to mix with a "base," meaning a non-acidic group. The ketone functional group has an oxygen and two "R" groups. The "R" are flexible groups which can become anything.

    Pyruvate Structure

    • In contrast to the liquid pyruvic acid, pyruvate is a "salt" or an "ester." For a salt to be created, organic acid and alcohol have to combine. This "alcohol" is not the alcohol that someone could drink on a weekend. Instead, it refers to a molecule that includes the functional group (-OH). Pyruvate is called a carboxylate anion because of its overall electrical charge. "Anion" means that pyruvate has more electrons than protons, which gives it a negative charge.

    Role in Reactions

    • Pyruvate or pyruvic acid is formed from the breakdown of sugars, but the fate of the substance differentiates them. Pyruvate can break down to form something called acetyl coa. The presence of acetyl coa is necessary for an energy producing cycle called the Kreb's cycle to begin, but that cycle will only occur if there is enough oxygen available. If there is not enough oxygen available, pyruvate can turn to pyruvic acid which can then become lactic acid. Lactic acid will be familiar to athletes as the substance that builds up in muscles during strenuous exercise to create a burning sensation.

    Interchangeability

    • Since pyruvate and pyruvic acid both come from the breakdown of sugars and starches, they are often used interchangeably. The process of breaking down sugars is called glycolysis, so you may hear that either substance is created from that process.

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