At the end of citric acid cycle, most of the energy is transferred toa...
Citric acid cycle or C3cycle start with pyruvate and leads to complete oxidation of glucose to carbon dioxide and energy in form of ATP, NADH and FADH2. At end of citric acid cycle, most of the energy is transferred to NADH and FADH2.
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At the end of citric acid cycle, most of the energy is transferred toa...
Energy Transfer in the Citric Acid Cycle
The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, plays a crucial role in cellular respiration by generating energy-rich molecules.
Key Products of the Cycle
- At the end of the citric acid cycle, the majority of the energy derived from the oxidation of acetyl-CoA is captured in the form of high-energy electron carriers.
- The two main carriers involved are NADH and FADH2, which are produced at several steps during the cycle.
Why NADH and FADH2?
- Reduction Reactions: Throughout the cycle, NAD+ and FAD are reduced to form NADH and FADH2. This process captures energy from the oxidation of substrates.
- Energy Storage: NADH and FADH2 store energy in the form of high-energy electrons, which are essential for the subsequent production of ATP during oxidative phosphorylation.
Comparison with Other Products
- While ATP is produced directly during the cycle, the amount is relatively small compared to the energy stored in NADH and FADH2.
- Oxaloacetic acid and citric acid are intermediates in the cycle, but they do not serve as significant energy carriers like NADH and FADH2.
Conclusion
- In summary, the majority of energy at the end of the citric acid cycle is transferred to NADH and FADH2. These molecules are crucial for the electron transport chain, where most ATP is generated, highlighting their importance in energy metabolism.