A cellular process that occurs within the mitochondria within the cell. It begins with Acetyl CoA which is produced from a molecule of pyruvate which is produced by glycolysis. The pyruvate is then oxidized and releases a CO2 to the atmosphere. The pyruvate is then further oxidized when it reduces NAD to NADH. The pyruvate is now known as Acetate , Coenzyme A is then added to the Acetate making it highly unstable and rich in energy, ready for the Citric Acid Cycle. During the Citric Acid Cycle NADH and FADH2 is produced along with ATP form substrate-level phosphorylation and and a few molecules of GTP.
The Citric Acid Cycle is crucial to cellular respiration
by belugawhale October 30, 2009