Question

The isomerization of citrate to isocitrate:A) is the only unnecessary step of the citric acid cycleB) protects cells from the toxic effects of arsenite ionC) converts a tertiary alcohol, which cannot easily by oxidized, to a secondary alcohol that can be oxidizedD) is a major regulatory step for the citric acid cycleE) is an oxidation reaction

Answer 1

The correct answer is c converts a tertiary alcohol which cannot easily be oxidized to a secondary alcohol that can be oxidized.

Step-by-step explanation:

Both citrate and isocitrate are isomers of each other and also very important metabolic intermediates of TCA cycle.

Citrate is a tertiary alcohol that"s why it cannot be metabolized as it"s functional group is surrounded by many bulky groups.

To overcome this problem citrate is converted to isocitrate which is a secondary alcohol that can easily be metabolized to generate alpha ketoglurate an important intermediate of TCA cycle.