Link reaction (occurs in the fluid matrix of

mitochondria)
1. Here pyruvate (3C) is actively (active transport) taken into the
mitochondrial matrix
2. Dehydrogenated: the hydrogen is picked up by NAD
3. Decarboxylated (CO2 removed) making a 2C acetyl compound that
is temporarily attached to a coenzyme A (CoA), forming acetyl CoA
which then enters the Krebs cycle.

Acetyl CoA (Acetylcoenzyme A)is the end product of the Link Reaction
and is needed for the next stage of cell respiration: Krebs cycle
Acetyl CoA contains several C atoms but only 2 of these enter the
Krebs Cycle. One of the C atoms from pyruvate goes to form a
molecule of CO2 (production of this CO2 does not directly use oxygen)
NOTE that the Coenzyme A is not used up in the Krebs Cycle but is
recycled back to the link reaction to make another Acetyl CoA molecule
- thus Coenzyme A acts as a carrier for the acetyl molecule

The Yield of the Link Reaction

One CO2 molecule per pyruvate (waste product)
One (2 carbon) Acetyl group per pyruvate for Krebs Cycle
One reduced NAD (NADH2) molecule per pyruvate for Oxidative
Phosphorylation