AboutJohn Locke Expertise I will answer all biology-related questions through the undergraduate level. I will explain unclear concepts and suggest approaches to solving problems, but would prefer not to completely solve homework problems for you. If you are completely stumped on homework, tell me what you already know and I will help you as much as possible. Please do not ask me for ideas on school research projects; part of research is determining a suitable area of investigation, and that's not a task that should be completed by someone else.
Experience I have a BS in Bioengineering with a concentration in Chemical Engineering (which included a heavy focus on biology), and have taught biology, biochemistry, and related subjects for some time now.
Education/Credentials BS Bioengineering, Penn State University
MCAT/DAT/OAT Instructor
Question Hi, I am a 2nd year student at university and studying for a Biochemistry exam. I was curious to know why the Citric acid cycle is called the citric acid cycle because it doesn't appear to have anything to do with citric acid. If you could answer this, it would be great thanks!
Answer Thanks for using AllExperts. The citric acid cycle--also known as the Krebs cycle or tricarboxylic acid cycle--does involve the compound citric acid, although in the body it is usually found in a slightly different form with a slightly different name. You may have seen diagrams of the CAC use the term "citrate" instead of "citric acid"; this is fairly common, and it reflects the fact that, in the body, citric acid loses its hydrogen ions to form its conjugate base, which is citrate. Citric acid itself is not found in the body--only citrate is, because that is the stable form of the molecule within the body. Citrate is the conjugate base of citric acid.
The TCA cycle includes citrate in the following steps:
Oxaloacetate+Acetyl CoA-->Citrate (catalyzed by citrate synthase)
