Question

What Is the purpose of the TCA Cycle?

Answer 1

TCA cycle:

1. The Krebs or citric acid cycle is another name for the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle.
2. When carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids are metabolized to acetyl coenzyme A or other cycle intermediates this is the usual pathway for full oxidation.
3. The generated Acetyl CoA enters the Tricarboxylic acid cycle, also known as the Citric acid cycle.
4. This method completely oxidizes glucose. 6C citrate forms when acetyl CoA interacts with the 4-carbon molecule oxaloacetate.
5. Two molecules of CO₂ are released in this process, and oxaloacetate is recycled.
6. ATP and other high-energy molecules like NADH and FADH2 are used to store energy.
7. It is the cell's primary source of ATP generation.
8. The end product of each TCA cycle is 2 molecules of CO₂, 3 NADH, 1 FADH₂ and 1 GTP molecule.

The steps of the TCA cycle are as follows:

1. The acetyl CoA joins with oxaloacetate to form citrate.
2. The citrate is then converted to isocitrate.
3. Isocitrate is then oxidized to alpha-ketoglutarate
4. Alpha-ketoglutarate is oxidized to form 4 carbon molecule.
5. Succinyl CoA is converted to succinate.
6. Succinate is converted to fumarate.
7. Fumarate is converted to malate
8. Malate is converted into oxaloacetate and NADH is also produced here.

The purpose of the TCA cycle:

1. Gaining energy for cells by degrading acetyl Co-A.
2. Gluconeogenesis is the process by which non-carbohydrate substrates are converted into glucose.
3. The TCA cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle or citric acid cycle) is a metabolic pathway utilized by aerobic organisms to produce cellular energy and intermediates in biosynthetic pathways.
4. This is the final pathway for carbohydrate, fat, and protein catabolism. It is the main source of ATP production in cells.