Citric acid cycle

Definition

The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetate derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into carbon dioxide. It is a crucial part of cellular respiration in the metabolism and nutrition chapter, under the topic of carbohydrate metabolism.

Related terms

Acetyl: CoA - A molecule that enters the citric acid cycle and is derived from glycolysis products; it serves as fuel for the cycle.

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate): The primary energy carrier in all living organisms on which cellular processes depend.

Oxidative Phosphorylation: A metabolic pathway that uses energy released by the oxidation of nutrients to produce ATP, closely linked with the electron transport chain that follows the citric acid cycle