Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Breakdown of pyruvate in the absence of air (oxygen) takes place in mitochondria.
2. Glucose is breakdown into a three-carbon molecule called pyruvate in the cytoplasm.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: Only 2
Notes: Breakdown of pyruvate using oxygen takes place in mitochondria. This process breaks up the three-carbon pyruvate molecule to give three molecules of carbon dioxide. The other product is water. Since this process takes place in the presence of air (oxygen), it is called aerobic respiration.

This question is part of UPSC Daily 20 MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app.