The full form of CAC in biology is Citric Acid Cycle.
The Citric Acid Cycle (CAC), also known as the Krebs cycle or the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle), is a crucial metabolic pathway in cellular respiration.
Citric Acid Cycle Explained
Here's a breakdown of the citric acid cycle:
- Definition: The Citric Acid Cycle (CAC) is the final common oxidative pathway for carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids.
- Location: The enzymes involved in the CAC are located in the mitochondria.
- Function: CAC plays an important role in several processes:
- Gluconeogenesis (the formation of glucose).
- Transamination (transfer of an amino group from one molecule to another).
- Deamination (removal of an amino group).
- Lipogenesis (the formation of fat).
Role in Metabolism
The CAC is a series of chemical reactions that extract energy from molecules, releasing carbon dioxide and producing high-energy electron carriers (NADH and FADH2). These electron carriers then fuel the electron transport chain, which generates the majority of ATP (energy currency) in the cell.
