The Citric Acid Cycle: The Central Pathway of Carbohydrate, Lipid, & Amino Acid Metabolism

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Describe the reactions of the citric acid cycle and the reactions that lead to the production of reducing equivalents that are oxidized in the mitochondrial electron transport chain to yield ATP.
  • Explain the importance of vitamins in the citric acid cycle.
  • Explain how the citric acid cycle provides both a route for catabolism of  other metabolites and products and also a rehtoroute for their synthesis - the amphibolic role TCA cycle.
  • Describe the main anaplerotic pathways that permit replenishment of citric acid cycle intermediates, and how the withdrawal of oxaloacetate for gluconeogenesis is controlled.
  • Explain how the activity of the citric acid cycle is controlled by the availability of oxidized cofactors.