Under aerobic conditions, what happens to pyruvate, and under anaerobic conditions, what happens?

• A. Aerobic: pyruvate remains in cytosol; Anaerobic: pyruvate enters mitochondria.
• B. Aerobic: pyruvate is converted to lactate; Anaerobic: pyruvate is oxidized in mitochondria.
• C. Aerobic: pyruvate enters mitochondria and becomes acetyl-CoA; Anaerobic: fermentation regenerates NAD+.
• D. Aerobic: pyruvate forms glucose; Anaerobic: fermentation consumes NAD+.

Answer: (C)