TCA CYCLE Meaning and
Definition
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The TCA cycle, also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle or the Krebs cycle, is a crucial metabolic pathway responsible for the oxidation of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in living organisms to produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). It takes place in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells and the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells.
The TCA cycle is a series of enzymatic reactions that occur in multiple steps. It begins with the conversion of the two-carbon molecule, acetyl-CoA, derived from various sources, into citrate, a six-carbon compound. As the cycle progresses, citrate undergoes a series of transformations involving decarboxylation, oxidation, and rearrangement reactions. These reactions lead to the production of three molecules of NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), one molecule of FADH2 (flavin adenine dinucleotide), and one molecule of ATP per cycle.
The main purpose of the TCA cycle is to generate high-energy electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) that will be utilized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Moreover, the cycle provides the intermediates necessary for various biosynthetic pathways within the cell.
The TCA cycle is a vital process in cellular respiration as it plays a central role in energy production and maintaining cellular homeostasis. It is regulated by various enzymes and influenced by cellular energy demand, oxygen availability, and the availability of substrates. Dysregulation of the TCA cycle can lead to metabolic disorders and various diseases, emphasizing its significance in overall cellular function.
Common Misspellings for TCA CYCLE
- rca cycle
- fca cycle
- gca cycle
- yca cycle
- 6ca cycle
- 5ca cycle
- txa cycle
- tva cycle
- tfa cycle
- tda cycle
- tcz cycle
- tcs cycle
- tcw cycle
- tcq cycle
- tca xycle
- tca vycle
- tca fycle
- tca dycle
- tca ctcle
- tca cgcle
Etymology of TCA CYCLE
The term "TCA cycle" stands for "Tricarboxylic Acid cycle", which is also commonly referred to as the "Krebs cycle" or the "citric acid cycle".
The etymology of the word can be broken down as follows:
1. Tricarboxylic: "tri-" comes from the Greek word "tria", meaning three, and "carboxylic" comes from the carbonyl group "COOH" referred to as "carboxyl". Thus, "tricarboxylic" indicates the presence of three carboxyl groups.
2. Acid: The term "acid" comes from the Latin word "acidus", meaning sour, and refers to a chemical compound that typically possesses a sour taste and can donate protons or accept electrons in chemical reactions.
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