What is produced during the Krebs cycle?

The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or TCA cycle, plays a crucial role in cellular respiration by generating energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. During this cycle, several key products are formed, including ATP and electron carriers such as NADH and FADH2.

ATP is produced directly during the Krebs cycle through substrate-level phosphorylation. More importantly, the electron carriers NADH and FADH2 are produced in significant quantities, and they subsequently transport electrons to the electron transport chain, facilitating the production of additional ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

Carbon dioxide is also a byproduct of the Krebs cycle, as acetyl-CoA is broken down, releasing CO2 during various steps of the process, but this is not the primary focus of energy generation. The overall contribution of the Krebs cycle is thus a critical aspect of cellular metabolism, emphasizing the production of ATP and electron carriers that are vital for energy flow within the cell.