what is removed from pyruvate during its conversion into an acetyl group?

During the conversion of pyruvate into an acetyl group, a molecule of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is removed from pyruvate. This process is called oxidative decarboxylation and is catalyzed by the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. The three-carbon pyruvate loses one carbon as CO₂, resulting in a two-carbon acetyl group that then combines with coenzyme A to form acetyl CoA. Additionally, electrons are transferred to NAD⁺, reducing it to NADH during this conversion