Explain the major steps of tricarboxylic acid cycle . Where does this process occurs in a cells
Answers
The tricarboxylic acid cycle or Krebs cycle is one of the major processes involved in aerobic respiration. This process occurs in the mitochondria, spefically in the mitochondrial matrix.
This cycle basically uses acetyl CoA to form ATP, Cabon dioxide, NADH and FADH.
The major steps are as follows:
1. Acetyl CoA and Oxaloacetate (a four carbon molecule) combine to form a 6-Carbon molecule.
2. Through decarboxylation (loss of carbon dioxide), NADH is formed. Decarboxylation occurs twice meaning two Carbon atoms are lost to form two carbon dioxide molecules. The molecule is again a 4-Carbon oxaloacetate.
3. FAD in the mitochondria is oxidized into FADH.
4. NAD in the mitochondria is oxidized into NADH.
5. Oxaloacetate is recycled and used again the process.
ricarboxylic acid cycle, (TCA cycle), also called Krebs cycle and citric acid cycle,
the second stage of cellular respiration,
the three-stage process by which living cells break down organic fuel molecules in the presence of oxygen to harvest the energy they need to grow and divide.
This metabolic process occurs in most plants, animals, fungi, and many bacteria. In all organisms except bacteria the TCA cycle is carried out in the matrix of intracellular structures called mitochondria.