citric acid cycle
- noun
- /ˈsɪtrɪk ˈæsɪd ˈsaɪkəl/
- Specialized
:
ciclo del ácido cítrico
- During cellular respiration, the citric acid cycle plays a crucial role in energy production.
Examples
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The citric acid cycle is essential for producing energy in cells during metabolism.
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So TCA, tricarboxylic acid cycle, Krebs cycle, citric acid cycle, all synonyms for the same thing.
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In the citric acid cycle, acetyl-CoA is oxidized to produce energy-rich molecules.
Synonyms
1
5.1
A series of chemical reactions in cells that make energy, carbon dioxide, and water
A series of reactions in the cell's mitochondria that change food molecules into energy
A series of chemical reactions in cells that make energy from food
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase literally signals a 'cycle' involving 'citric'/'acid', so a learner who knows the constituents can infer it refers to a repeating series of steps connected to citric acid. However, the precise biochemical sense (enzyme-catalyzed reactions in mitochondria producing cellular energy) is specialized and not predictable from the words alone, so full understanding requires domain knowledge.
Etymology
Citric acid cycle is named after citric acid, a substance first found in citrus fruits like lemons, and cycle shows the steps go round and return to the start. In cells this repeating set of steps helps make 'energy', so the name refers to the circular process that creates power for the cell.