Pyruvic acid is not the end product of fermentation because it is a key intermediate in metabolic pathways. In anaerobic conditions, pyruvic acid is typically converted into other compounds, such as lactic acid in lactic acid fermentation or ethanol and carbon dioxide in alcoholic fermentation. This conversion allows cells to regenerate NAD+, which is essential for glycolysis to continue producing ATP. Thus, pyruvic acid serves as a crucial substrate rather than a final product in fermentation processes.
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