What happens to pyruvic acid before it enters the kreb cycle?

Question

What happens to pyruvic acid before it enters the kreb cycle?

Answer 1

Before pyruvic enters the Kreb cycle, it must be converted into acetyl CoA.  This happens by the enzyme pyruvate decarboxylase.  Pyruvic acid is not an intermediate in the Kreb cycle, therefore it must be changed into acetyl CoA, which is an intermediate in the Kreb cycle.