Introduction to the Citric Acid Cycle and Metabolism

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular metabolism, digestion hydrolysis, and specific steps and components of the citric acid cycle.

Digestion

The process of hydrolysis occurring in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine that breaks down macromolecules into smaller molecules capable of entering cells.

Triglycerides

Esters found in dietary fats such as butter or vegetable oil that undergo ester hydrolysis to yield fatty acids and glycerol.

Acetyl coenzyme

A two-carbon molecule produced during cellular catabolism that enters the citric acid cycle.

Coenzyme A

An activating group (also called CoA) attached to molecules such as acetyl coenzyme to activate them and start chemical reactions.

Glycolysis

The cellular pathway representing the metabolism of glucose, in which monosaccharides are converted into pyruvate.

Citric acid cycle

A complex metabolic pathway located in the mitochondria of cells consisting of eight steps that converts acetyl coenzyme into reduced coenzymes.

Reduced coenzymes

Energy-rich molecules, specifically NADH and FADH2, produced by the citric acid cycle that act as reducing agents and enter the electron transport chain.

ATP

An energy-rich molecule produced via the electron transport chain that breaks down to provide energy for everyday activities.

Step 1 of the citric acid cycle

The step in which acetyl coenzyme, oxaloacetate, and water react to produce citrate and coenzyme A.

Step 3 of the citric acid cycle

The step in which isocitrate and the oxidizing agent NAD+ react to produce carbon dioxide, alpha ketoglutarate, NADH, and H+.

Step 7 of the citric acid cycle

The step in which the alkene fumarate and water react to produce a single product, malate.

Pyruvate

A molecule formed during glycolysis or amino acid catabolism that can subsequently be converted into acetyl coenzyme.