Here are the key steps in the Krebs cycle:
Acetyl-CoA, derived from the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, enters the cycle.
Acetyl-CoA combines with oxaloacetate to form citrate, initiating the cycle.
Through a series of reactions, citrate is gradually converted back into oxaloacetate. Along the way, it releases energy in the form of NADH and FADH2.
Carbon dioxide is also produced and released during these reactions.
The high-energy electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) generated during the cycle play a critical role in the electron transport chain, where they help produce additional ATP.