citric acid cycle

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citric acid cycle

The diagram illustrates the citric acid cycle within a cell's mitochondrion.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A metabolic pathway: The citric acid cycle is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into carbon dioxide and chemical energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
    • A central part of cellular respiration: It is a crucial metabolic cycle that occurs in the mitochondria of cells, where it completes the breakdown of nutrients and provides precursors for various biosynthetic pathways.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The citric acid cycle is also known as the Krebs cycle or the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle.
    • Understanding the steps of the citric acid cycle is fundamental to biochemistry.
    • Energy production in the cell depends heavily on the efficient operation of the citric acid cycle.
Advanced Usage
  • "to enter the citric acid cycle": Refers to the point where acetyl-CoA molecules begin the series of reactions.

    • Pyruvate is converted to acetyl-CoA before it can enter the citric acid cycle.
  • "intermediates of the citric acid cycle": Refers to the molecules produced at each step of the cycle, which can be used for other cellular processes.

    • Some intermediates of the citric acid cycle are used in the synthesis of amino acids.
Variants and Related Words
  • Krebs cycle (n): A common synonym for the citric acid cycle, named after Hans Krebs.

    • The Krebs cycle is a key component of aerobic respiration.
  • Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (n): Another formal synonym for the citric acid cycle.

    • The TCA cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix.
Synonyms
  • Krebs cycle: The most widely used synonym.
  • Tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle): A more chemical term for the same process.
Related Phrases
  • Citrate synthase: The enzyme that catalyzes the first reaction of the cycle.

    • Citrate synthase combines acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate to form citrate.
  • Oxidative phosphorylation: The process that follows the citric acid cycle to produce most of the cell's ATP.

    • The NADH and FADH2 produced in the citric acid cycle drive oxidative phosphorylation.
citric acid cycle

The diagram illustrates the citric acid cycle within a cell's mitochondrion.

Noun
  1. in all plants and animals: a series of enzymatic reactions in mitochondria involving oxidative metabolism of acetyl compounds to produce high-energy phosphate compounds that are the source of cellular energy