Overview of the Tricarboxylic Acid TCA Cycle

A The TCA cycle, also called the Krebs cycle, is the final destination for metabolism of fuel molecules. 

The carbon skeletons of carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids are ultimately converted to CO2 and H2O as the end products of their metabolism. 

Most fuel molecules enter the pathway as acetyl coenzyme A (CoA), but the carbon skeletons of the amino acids may also enter the TCA cycle at various points. 

Electrons derived from the carbon skeletons are captured and transferred by the electron transport chain to oxygen, driving the generation of ATP. 

Most of the energy available to human cells is synthesized from the combined activity of the TCA cycle and the electron transport chain. 

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