MCAT Organic Chemistry Question 13: Answer and Explanation

Home > MCAT Test > MCAT organic chemistry practice tests

Test Information

Question: 13

13. Pyruvic acid, one of the end products of glycolysis, is commonly called acetylformic acid. Based on its common name, the structure of pyruvic acid must be:

  • A.
  • B.
  • C.
  • D.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

We can use the name acetylformic acid to figure out what our functional groups are. The prefix acet– refers to a two-carbon unit with one carbon in a carbonyl group—think of acetic acid, acetic anhydride, or acetaldehyde. The carbonyl carbon is the point of attachment to another functional group. Formic acid is a single-carbon carboxylic acid. Therefore, acetylformic acid is an acetyl group directly attached to formic acid, as shown in choice (A). Choice (B) shows acetic acid, or vinegar; choice (C) shows glucose; and choice (D) shows formic acid.

Previous       Next