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

At the end of the Citric Acid Cycle, oxaloacetate is the compound that is regenerated. This regeneration is crucial for the continuity of the cycle, as it allows the cycle to begin anew with the addition of another acetyl-CoA molecule.

During the cycle, oxaloacetate condenses with acetyl-CoA to form citrate in the first step. As the cycle progresses, citrate undergoes a series of transformations, ultimately being converted back into oxaloacetate. This cyclical nature, where oxaloacetate is both a starting material and a product, ensures that the cycle can perpetuate and continue to generate reducing equivalents (NADH and FADH2) and ATP, which are vital for cellular energy production.

Thus, recognizing oxaloacetate as the compound that is regenerated at the end of the Citric Acid Cycle highlights its foundational role in the metabolic pathway, maintaining the cycle's function and efficiency in cellular respiration.