Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy

The Citric Acid Cycle

GOB Chemistry

21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy

The Citric Acid Cycle

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1:14 minutes

Problem 41d

Textbook Question

Refer to the diagram of the citric acid cycle in Figure 18.13 to answer each of the following:
d. What are the decarboxylation reactions?

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the decarboxylation reactions in the citric acid cycle. Decarboxylation refers to the removal of a carbon dioxide (CO₂) molecule from a compound during a chemical reaction.

Locate the steps in the citric acid cycle where CO₂ is released. These reactions typically involve the conversion of a molecule into another with one less carbon atom.

Examine the enzymes involved in these reactions. In the citric acid cycle, decarboxylation reactions are catalyzed by enzymes such as isocitrate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase.

Understand the chemical transformations. For example, isocitrate is converted to α-ketoglutarate, releasing CO₂, and α-ketoglutarate is converted to succinyl-CoA, releasing another CO₂.

Review the overall significance of these reactions. Decarboxylation reactions are crucial for energy production as they contribute to the generation of NADH, which is used in the electron transport chain to produce ATP.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Decarboxylation

Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that involves the removal of a carboxyl group (-COOH) from a molecule, releasing carbon dioxide (CO2). In the context of the citric acid cycle, this process is crucial for the conversion of certain intermediates, allowing the cycle to continue and produce energy. It typically occurs in specific steps where enzymes facilitate the reaction, ensuring that the cycle efficiently generates ATP and other high-energy molecules.

Citric Acid Cycle

The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, is a series of enzymatic reactions that take place in the mitochondria of cells. It plays a central role in cellular respiration by oxidizing acetyl-CoA to produce energy carriers such as NADH and FADH2, as well as ATP. Understanding the cycle's steps, including where decarboxylation occurs, is essential for grasping how cells convert nutrients into usable energy.

Enzymatic Regulation

Enzymatic regulation refers to the control of enzyme activity within metabolic pathways, including the citric acid cycle. Specific enzymes catalyze decarboxylation reactions, and their activity can be influenced by factors such as substrate availability, product concentration, and allosteric regulators. This regulation ensures that the cycle operates efficiently and responds to the energy needs of the cell, making it a key concept for understanding metabolic control.