1

Notes for Krebs cycle

The Kreb’s cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle) is a series of reactions which
generate reduced NAD and a similar molecule called reduced FAD which are needed
for oxidative phosphorylation. Acetyl CoA from the link reaction reacts with a four-
carbon molecule called oxaloacetate. The coenzyme A portion of acetyl CoA is removed
and returns to the link reaction to be reused. A 6-carbon molecule called citrate is
produced. Carbon and hydrogen are removed from citrate, forming carbon dioxide and
reduced NAD. The citrate is converted into a 5-carbon compound. Decarboxylation and
dehydrogenation occur once more, which converts the 5-carbon compounds into the 4-
carbon molecule oxaloacetate which we started with. ATP, 2 molecules of reduced
NAD, one molecule of FAD and carbon dioxide are also formed in this step. This cycle
takes place twice for each glucose molecule that is respired aerobically.

Stages of Krebs Cycle

The following steps are in terms of 1 acetate molecule. But there will be two
acetates per glucose molecule.

1. The acetate is released from CoA. CoA is used to transport acetate from the link
reaction to the Krebs cycle. As soon as the Krebs cycle begins, acetate is
unloaded.

2. Acetate joins with oxaloacetate. Acetate (2C) combines with oxaloacetate (4C),
forming a 6C molecule called citrate.

3. Citrate is decarboxylated and dehydrogenated. Citrate (6C) loses a carboxyl

group and forms a 5C molecule, releasing CO2 in the process. It also loses two
hydrogens, which are accepted by NAD to form reduced NAD.

4. The 5C molecule is decarboxylated and dehydrogenated. The 5C molecule is

also decarboxylated and dehydrogenated, forming a 4C molecule. Again, NAD
accepts the lost hydrogen, forming another reduced NAD.

5. The first 4C molecule is converted to a second 4C molecule. The 4C molecule

undergoes a reaction, changing to another 4C molecule. In the process the
 2

original 4C molecule gives a phosphate group to ADP, leading to production

of ATP. This is substrate-level phosphorylation, as the 4C compound (substrate)
is phosphorylating ADP during the reaction.

6. The second 4C molecule is converted to a third 4C molecule. The second 4C is

converted to another 4C molecule. Two hydrogens are released, and accepted
by FAD, making reduced FAD.

7. The third 4C molecule is converted to oxaloacetate. The third 4C is

dehydrogenated. This re-forms the oxaloacetate, completing the cycle. Another
pair of hydrogen atoms are released, making reduced NAD.
 3

Products of Krebs Cycle

The reduced NAD and reduced FAD produced in the link reaction and Kreb Cycle are
important for the final stage – oxidative phosphorylation.

Per molecule of glucose (and hence per 2 molecules of acetyl-CoA) Kreb’s cycle
produces:

 2 ATP – some energy is produced in the form of ATP.

 6 reduced NAD – just like the reduced NAD from the previous two steps, the
reduced NAD from the Krebs cycle goes to oxidative phosphorylation.

 2 reduced FAD – the reduced FAD joins reduced NAD in going to oxidative
phosphorylation.

 1 coenzyme A – this goes back to the link reaction where it can be used to
transport another acetate to the Krebs cycle.