Post-glycolysis, pyruvate can follow several pathways:
Aerobic Respiration: In the presence of oxygen, pyruvate enters the mitochondria and is converted to acetyl-CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle. Anaerobic Respiration: In the absence of oxygen, pyruvate is converted to lactate in animals (lactic acid fermentation) or ethanol and CO2 in yeast (alcoholic fermentation).
