Question

Is TCA cycle anabolic or catabolic?

Answer 1

TCA cycle:

1. The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is a series of chemical reactions to release stored energy through the oxidation of acetyl CoA.
2. It is also called the Krebs cycle or citric acid cycle.
3. It occurs in the mitochondria and provides large amounts of energy in aerobic conditions by donating electrons to 3 NADH and 1 FADH which further donate to the electron transport chain, creating a proton gradient.

Amphibolic nature of TCA cycle:

1. The TCA cycle is called amphibolic because it is involved in both catabolism and anabolism.
2. The catabolic part is the oxidation of acetyl CoA which forms CO₂, NADH, and FADH₂.
3. The anabolic part is the formation of various cellular macromolecules such as fatty acids, and amino acids.