Which acid is produced in the Krebs cycle alongside oxaloacetic acid?

In the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid cycle, citric acid is produced when acetyl-CoA combines with oxaloacetic acid. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme citrate synthase. The formation of citric acid is a crucial step in the cycle because it allows for subsequent reactions that lead to energy production in the form of ATP, as well as the generation of electron carriers like NADH and FADH2.

The cycle begins with the condensation of oxaloacetic acid and acetyl-CoA, which results in the formation of citric acid. This citric acid is then transformed through various intermediates, which play key roles in cellular metabolism. Understanding this process is essential for grasping how energy is derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in aerobic organisms.

While malic acid, succinic acid, and fumaric acid are also involved in the Krebs cycle, they are not produced simultaneously with oxaloacetic acid from the initial reaction. Instead, they are products of subsequent steps in the cycle, highlighting the complex and sequential nature of biochemical pathways in energy metabolism.