Which compound is regenerated at the end of the Citric Acid Cycle to continue the cycle?

At the end of the Citric Acid Cycle, oxaloacetate is the compound that is regenerated, allowing the cycle to continue. The cycle begins with the combination of acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate to form citrate. As the cycle progresses, citrate undergoes a series of enzymatic transformations, ultimately leading back to the formation of oxaloacetate. This regeneration of oxaloacetate is crucial because it provides the substrate needed for the next round of the cycle to start, enabling the continual processing of acetyl-CoA into energy.

Additionally, the conversion of malate back to oxaloacetate involves the enzyme malate dehydrogenase, which also plays a role in producing NADH, an important electron carrier in cellular respiration. Without the regeneration of oxaloacetate, the cycle could not sustain itself, and the entire process of aerobic energy production would be impeded.