Final answer:
The Citric Acid Cycle (CAC) is regulated by the concentration of acetyl CoA, which when excessive leads to inhibition of the cycle and diversion towards fatty acid synthesis, whereas amino acids from protein can enter the CAC as α-ketoglutarate during glucose deficiency, generating NADH in the process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The CAC is regulated in various ways. For example, if the concentration of acetyl CoA is too high, citrate will get diverted to fatty acid synthesis and step #3 will be inhibited. If there is a lack of glucose, cells can hydrolyze proteins into amino acids which can further be modified by enzymes so the cell can make cell energy. For example, glutamic acid can be oxidized to α-ketoglutarate, which then enters the CAC at step #5. The energy-storing molecule NADH is also generated during this reaction.
If the concentration of acetyl-CoA is too high, it will get diverted to fatty acid synthesis and step #3 will be inhibited. If there is a lack of glucose, cells can hydrolyze proteins into amino acids which can further be modified by enzymes so the cell can make cell energy. For example, glutamic acid can be oxidized to alpha-ketoglutarate, which then enters the CAC at step #4. The energy storing molecule NADH is also generated during this reaction.