Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Breakdown of pyruvate in the absence of oxygen occurs in the mitochondria.
2. Glucose is broken down into a three-carbon molecule called pyruvate in the cytoplasm.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Answer: Only 2
Notes: The breakdown of glucose into pyruvate (glycolysis) occurs in the cytoplasm of cells. In the absence of oxygen, further breakdown (anaerobic respiration/fermentation) takes place in the cytoplasm, not mitochondria. Breakdown of pyruvate in mitochondria occurs in the presence of oxygen (aerobic respiration). Hence, only statement 2 is correct.