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Glite Dictionary
Krebs citric acid cycle

Krebs citric acid cycle

6.9
A series of reactions in the cell's mitochondria that change food molecules into energy
  • noun
  • /krɛbz ˈsɪtrɪk ˈæsɪd ˈsaɪkəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ciclo del ácido cítrico de Krebs
  • During aerobic respiration, the Krebs citric acid cycle plays a crucial role in generating cellular energy.

Examples

  • The Krebs citric acid cycle occurs within the mitochondria of plant and animal cells.

  • During the Krebs citric acid cycle, ATP is produced.

  • Students often study the Krebs citric acid cycle in their high school biology classes.

  • The Krebs citric acid cycle is essential for cellular respiration.

  • During aerobic respiration, the Krebs citric acid cycle plays a crucial role in generating cellular energy.

  • The Krebs citric acid cycle occurs within the mitochondria of plant and animal cells.

  • Students often study the Krebs citric acid cycle in their high school biology classes.

Synonyms

Krebs cycle
vsKrebs citric acid cycle
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A series of chemical reactions in cells that make energy, carbon dioxide, and water

shares meaning but includes the scientist's name in the term
citric acid cycle
vsKrebs citric acid cycle
  • Specialized
7.3

A series of chemical reactions in the mitochondria of cells that make energy

has identical meaning but uses an eponymous combined name
tricarboxylic acid cycle
vsKrebs citric acid cycle
  • Specialized
5.2

A series of chemical reactions in cells that make energy from food

means the same but is a more formal chemical name

Surface Forms

Krebs citric acid cycle singular
Krebs citric acid cycles plural

Morphology

Krebs + citric + acid + cycle

The elements 'citric', 'acid', and 'cycle' are compositionally transparent so a B1 learner who knows those words could infer this refers to a repeated process involving citric acid. However, the full biomedical sense (an enzymatic mitochondrial pathway producing cellular energy) and the eponym 'Krebs' require specialist knowledge, so the precise meaning is not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Krebs citric acid cycle was named for scientist Krebs and the molecule citric acid, because Krebs showed that a set of reactions in cells starts with citric acid and goes in a circle. Think of a small wheel of steps turning inside a cell to make energy, so the name now means the cell's energy-making 'cycle'.