Pronunciation: [pa͡ɪɹˈuːvɪk ˈasɪd] (IPA) 
Pyruvic acid is a crucial molecule in cellular respiration. It is spelled /paɪˈruːvɪk æsɪd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "py-" is pronounced like "pie" with a long "i" sound. The second syllable, "-ruv-" is pronounced with a short "u" sound, like "up". The final syllable, "-ic" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, like "it". The word "acid" is pronounced as usual with a long "a" sound, like "aye".
Pyruvic acid is a three-carbon organic acid with the chemical formula C3H4O3. It is an important intermediate product in several metabolic pathways that occur within living organisms. It is named as "pyruvic acid" due to its association with the Greek word "pyr," meaning "fire," which relates to its role as a key component in the process of cellular respiration.
In biological systems, pyruvic acid is typically produced through the glycolysis pathway, which breaks down glucose molecules into smaller molecules to release energy. It serves as the end product of this pathway when oxygen availability is limited or absent, eventually leading to the fermentation process. In the presence of oxygen, pyruvic acid is further oxidized through aerobic respiration to produce energy-rich molecules such as ATP.
Apart from its role in energy production, pyruvic acid participates in other biochemical reactions as well. It is an important precursor in the synthesis of various other molecules, including amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids. Pyruvic acid also plays a crucial role in the formation of the citric acid cycle, or Krebs cycle, which further generates energy in the form of ATP.
In various industries, pyruvic acid finds applications as a flavoring agent, fragrance ingredient, and pharmaceutical intermediate. Its chemical properties, such as its acidic nature, reactivity, and ability to form derivatives, contribute to its diverse usage in different sectors of the economy.
The word pyruvic acid has its etymology rooted in the compounds it is derived from. The term pyruvic originates from the Greek word pyr meaning fire and the Latin word uxoricus meaning of marriage.
The compound itself, pyruvic acid, is a three-carbon organic acid derived from pyruvate, which is a key product of glucose metabolism. The suffix -ic in pyruvic indicates that it is an acid, while the term acid comes from the Latin word acidus meaning sour.
