[John623]

First of all: I keep finding two equations that are supposedly showing the same reaction:
1) NAD⁺ +2e +H⁺ -> NADH
2) NAD⁺ +2e +2H⁺ -> NADH +H⁺

The first one suggests NAD carries around 2 electrons and one hydrogen ion
The second one suggests NAD carries around 2 electrons and 2 hydrogen ions

I imagine that the second equation shows an extra H+ ion (when compared to the first one) because for some reason a H+ ion follows the NADH around. Is it because a H+ ion forms a co-dative bond with the NADH (allowing it to 'carry' around 2 H+ ions?).

If the second H+ doesn't form a codative bond with the NADH, then what kind of bond does it form that allows it to follow the NADH around instead of just diffusing away?

[Hunter2]

Theoretically it can be add as ammonium to the nitrogen

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicotinamidadenindinukleotid

[John623]

So the H+ ions that are released into solution when glucose becomes pyruvate, and when pyruvate becomes Acetyl-CoA, end up becoming ammonia?

[Babcock_Hall]

Your two equations are really the same one, as can be seen by canceling a proton from each side of equation 2.  The reduced form of NAD, which is NADH, does not carry a second proton, not having any group with an appropriate pK_a.  (I would include a negative sign on the electron, but I am not sure that everyone would.)  How is intracellular pH maintained?  Is the cytoplasm buffered in any way?

[John623]

Well, the cytoplasm does have buffers.

I believe that when 1 glucose (12 hydrogens) is turned into ATP:
2 pyruvic acids(4H) are created, which turn into 2 pyruvates(3H) + 2H+
Also, 2 NADH +2H+ are created.

So end up with 4H+ being released into solution. I imagine that these could bind to a buffer.

If this is the case what happens to the buffer when it has taken all the hydrogen ions it can handle? Are they excreted, destroyed, or shipped somewhere else so that the H+ can be released to bind with negative ions somewhere else in the body?

[Babcock_Hall]

You may wish to recalculate your numbers for pyruvate, given that its structure is CH₃C(O)CO₂^-.  I would also consult a balanced equation for glycolysis at some point, to make sure that I had not missed anything.

[John623]

Are my hydrogen numbers wrong?
glucose = 12
pyruvates = 3; 2*3 = 6
NADH takes 2
total missing: 4H+ because 12-8 = 4H

I was just trying to work out where these missing 4H+ are going

[Babcock_Hall]

Have you looked up the balanced equation for glycolysis.  I think you are missing the formation of water.