The biological process by which pyruvate is converted to Acetyl CoA, then to citrate, then isocitrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, succinyl CoA, succinate, fumarate, malate and then oxaloacetate (I can't believe I still remember all that!). The oxaloacetate then recieves 2 carbons from acetyl CoA to form citrate, and the cycle is repeated until we get tired and die. Oh yeah - some ATP is produced as well as NADH and FADH2. Comes after glycolysis and before the Electron Transport Chain in the process of respiration. Also called the citric acid cycle.

All we need now is a diagram... Just follow the above text and try to imagine this as a circle


_.,--'''--,.__
CoA Citric Acid `'--, ---->CO2
<---------- (6 Carbons) \ <-----NAD+
/ | --->NADH+H2
| |
Acetyl CoA | alpha-Ketaglutaric Acid
(2 Carbons | (5 Carbons)
enter cycle) | ADP----> | ---->CO2
-------> { <---H2O ATP<---- | <----NAD+
| | ---->NADH+H2
| Succinic Acid
| (4 Carbons)
Oxylaocetic Acid |
(4 carbons) / <---FAD
| _/' ---->FADH2
| _,-'
NAD+----> `\__ Malic Acid
NADH+H+<---- `----(4 carbons)

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.