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Question

How many carbon molecules does pyruvate has?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CHSL 2025 Tier 1 Question Paper (21-Nov-2025) (Shift 1)
The correct answer is

3

The question asks about the number of carbon atoms present in a molecule of pyruvate.

Pyruvate (pyruvic acid) has the chemical formula C3H4O3, so it contains three carbon atoms.

It is a three-carbon compound that acts as a key intermediate in cellular respiration.

During glycolysis, one molecule of glucose (a six-carbon sugar) is broken down in the cytoplasm into two molecules of pyruvate.

Because glucose has six carbons and it splits into two equal parts, each pyruvate molecule naturally carries three carbon atoms.

Pyruvate then enters the mitochondria, where it is further oxidised to release energy in aerobic respiration.

The options 4, 5 and 6 are incorrect, as they do not match the three-carbon structure of pyruvate.

Hence, pyruvate has 3 carbon atoms.

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