Question

At how many steps does decarboxylation occur in the Krebs cycle?

Answer 1

Krebs cycle:

1. Krebs cycle or tricarboxylic acid cycle involves a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions that occurs in the mitochondrial matrix.
2. The cycle begins with the condensation of acetyl-CoA with oxaloacetic acid (OAA) and water to form citric acid.
3. Decarboxylation is a process in which the carboxyl group is removed from a compound along with the release of carbon dioxide.
4. In the Krebs cycle, decarboxylation occurs in two steps.
5. First oxidative decarboxylation occurs during the conversion of isocitrate into α-ketoglutarate.
6. This reaction is catalyzed by isocitrate dehydrogenase.
7. Second oxidative decarboxylation takes place when α-ketoglutarate is converted to succinyl-coenzyme A with the help of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase.