What are the main products of one turn of the Citric Acid Cycle?

The main products of one turn of the Citric Acid Cycle, also known as the Krebs Cycle, include three molecules of NADH, one molecule of FADH2, one GTP (which can be readily converted to ATP), and the release of two molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2).

NADH and FADH2 are vital because they carry high-energy electrons to the electron transport chain, where their energy is harnessed to produce ATP. The generation of GTP or ATP is crucial for cellular energy, supporting various biological processes. The release of two CO2 molecules is part of the cycle’s role in metabolizing organic fuel molecules, representing the decarboxylation processes that occur as the cycle progresses.

This combination of products is a key characteristic of the cycle, reflecting its role in both energy production and the biosynthesis of various molecules in the cell.