Which of the following are potential outcomes for pyruvate?

Pyruvate is a central metabolite in cellular respiration and can be converted into different substances depending on the metabolic needs of the cell and the availability of oxygen.

When oxygen is present, pyruvate typically enters the mitochondria and is converted into acetyl-CoA via the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Acetyl-CoA then enters the citric acid cycle, participating in aerobic respiration. On the other hand, in anaerobic conditions, pyruvate can be reduced to lactate through lactate fermentation, which allows for continued ATP production by regenerating NAD+ from NADH. Additionally, pyruvate can be converted to oxaloacetate (OAA) through the action of pyruvate carboxylase, a process that plays an important role in gluconeogenesis and the citric acid cycle.

This account of pyruvate's fates directly supports the outcomes listed in the choice, as each option includes the potential transformations pyruvate undergoes according to the metabolic context, specifically acetyl-CoA, lactate, and oxaloacetate.