The Krebs Cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, is a process in cellular respiration. The word Krebs is pronounced /krɛbz/, with the "e" and "b" sounds being pronounced separately. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word would be /kɹɛbz ˈsaɪkəl/. The "s" sounds in both Krebs and Cycle are pronounced the same, with the tongue being placed just behind the teeth. This important biological process is named after Hans Krebs, a German biochemist who discovered it in 1937.
The Krebs Cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid cycle, is a series of chemical reactions that occur in the mitochondria of cells during aerobic respiration. It is a vital component in the overall process of cellular respiration, which is responsible for the production of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
The Krebs Cycle begins with the oxidation of acetyl-CoA, a molecule derived from the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. This step generates NADH and releases carbon dioxide as a byproduct. The NADH then goes on to react with other molecules in the cycle, which result in the production of additional NADH, as well as flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH2), ATP, and carbon dioxide.
The primary purpose of the Krebs Cycle is to extract high-energy electrons from the carbon compounds derived from food and transfer them to carrier molecules, such as NADH and FADH2. These carrier molecules then transport the electrons to the electron transport chain, where they undergo a series of redox reactions that ultimately generate ATP.
Additionally, the Krebs Cycle also produces several intermediates, such as citrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, and succinyl-CoA, which are used as precursors for the synthesis of other important molecules in the cell, including amino acids, nucleotides, and lipids.
In summary, the Krebs Cycle is a central metabolic pathway that plays a crucial role in the generation of energy and the production of key molecules necessary for cellular function.
The word "Krebs Cycle" is named after its discoverer, Sir Hans Krebs. The cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or the tricarboxylic acid cycle, is a key metabolic pathway in living organisms that produces energy through the oxidation of carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids. Sir Hans Krebs, a German-British biochemist, elucidated the details and function of this cycle in the 1930s and 1940s, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1953. Hence, the term "Krebs Cycle" honors his significant contribution to our understanding of cellular respiration.