Regeneration of Oxaloacetate is Essential for the Citric Acid Cycle

Question

Regeneration of oxaloacetate is essential for the citric acid cycle to be cyclical.

Accepted Answer

Oxaloacetate is a key intermediate molecule in the citric acid cycle. It combines with acetyl-CoA to form citrate, which undergoes a series of reactions to generate energy in the form of ATP. At the end of the cycle, oxaloacetate must be regenerated to begin the cycle again. Without the regeneration of oxaloacetate, the cycle cannot continue in a cyclical manner, and the production of ATP would be halted.