Which cycle is primarily responsible for the oxidation of Acetyl CoA?

The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, is primarily responsible for the oxidation of acetyl CoA. This cycle takes place in the mitochondrial matrix and plays a central role in cellular respiration, where it facilitates the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into carbon dioxide and water while generating energy.

Acetyl CoA, derived from the breakdown of carbohydrates through glycolysis, fatty acids through β-oxidation, and amino acids through deamination, enters the Krebs cycle. In this cycle, acetyl CoA combines with oxaloacetate to form citrate. Through a series of enzymatic reactions, citrate undergoes transformations, throughout which energy carriers such as NADH and FADH2 are produced. These energy carriers are crucial, as they transport electrons to the electron transport chain, ultimately leading to ATP production.

The other cycles mentioned are not primarily involved in the oxidation of acetyl CoA. The Calvin cycle is part of photosynthesis, focusing on carbon fixation. The Cori cycle involves the conversion of lactate to glucose in the liver and does not directly process acetyl CoA. The urea cycle is primarily concerned with the detoxification of ammonia and