What is the primary purpose of the Citric Acid Cycle?

The primary purpose of the Citric Acid Cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, is to generate energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA. This cycle occurs in the mitochondria and is a central metabolic pathway that processes acetyl-CoA, derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, into energy-rich molecules. As acetyl-CoA enters the cycle, it is oxidized, leading to the production of high-energy electron carriers, specifically NADH and FADH2, along with GTP or ATP.

These electron carriers are crucial because they transport electrons to the electron transport chain, where a significant amount of ATP is generated through oxidative phosphorylation. The cycle also produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct, which is exhaled. Therefore, the Citric Acid Cycle is fundamentally about energy production, facilitating the conversion of biochemical energy from nutrients into usable energy for the cell.