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Multiple Choice
Why is the citric acid cycle called a "cycle"?
A
The acetyl CoA that enters the cycle is regenerated in the last step of the pathway.
B
NAD+ and FAD are recycled.
C
All of the carbon from glucose is cycled back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
D
NADH is cycled down the electron transport chain.
E
The four-carbon acid that accepts the acetyl CoA in the first step of the cycle is regenerated by the last step of the cycle.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of the citric acid cycle: The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy. It involves a sequence of reactions that regenerate the starting molecule.
Identify the key components: The cycle begins with a four-carbon molecule called oxaloacetate, which combines with acetyl CoA to form a six-carbon molecule called citrate.
Follow the transformation process: As the cycle progresses, citrate undergoes a series of transformations, releasing carbon dioxide and transferring electrons to NAD+ and FAD, forming NADH and FADH2.
Recognize the regeneration step: By the end of the cycle, oxaloacetate is regenerated, allowing the cycle to begin anew with the addition of another acetyl CoA molecule.
Conclude why it's a cycle: The regeneration of oxaloacetate, the molecule that initially accepts acetyl CoA, is what makes the citric acid cycle a 'cycle', as it allows the process to repeat continuously.