CH-011 Cell Health

The Krebs (TCA) Cycle

The eight-step cycle in the mitochondria that processes nutrients and drives cellular energy production.

Established Biology Series 2: How a Cell Makes Energy · Part 4 of 9

Why it matters

It is where the electrons that power the cell are collected. Three times per turn, NAD+ accepts electrons and becomes NADH.

Key points

  • Eight reactions, eight intermediates, one continuous cycle.
  • Each turn yields 3 NADH, 1 FADH₂, 1 GTP (or ATP), and 2 CO₂.
  • Two of the three NAD+ reductions happen on either side of alpha-ketoglutarate.
  • It takes place in the mitochondrial matrix.

References

  1. Nelson DL, Cox MM. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 8th ed. W. H. Freeman, 2021.
  2. Martínez-Reyes I, Chandel NS. Mitochondrial TCA cycle metabolites control physiology and disease. Nat Commun. 2020;11:102. doi:10.1038/s41467-019-13668-3

Related records

Library records describe established biology and published research. They do not describe an effect of any Natal Health product. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

← Back to the Library