Final answer:
The sequential process of fatty acid catabolism to acetyl CoA is called the β-oxidation pathway. This process involves converting fatty acids into acetyl CoA units that eventually enter the citric acid cycle to produce ATP. It is distinct from the citric acid cycle itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sequential process of fatty acid catabolism to acetyl CoA is referred to as the β-oxidation pathway. During this metabolic process, fatty acids are initially converted into fatty acyl CoA molecules in the cytoplasm. These molecules are then transported into the mitochondria where they undergo a series of reactions that sequentially cleave two-carbon fragments in the form of acetyl-CoA. This process continues until the entire fatty acid chain is converted into acetyl CoA units, which can then enter the citric acid cycle or Krebs cycle to further produce ATP.
The citric acid cycle, also known as the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle or the Krebs cycle, is a series of enzymatic reactions that take place in the mitochondrial matrix. Acetyl CoA enters this cycle to eventually be oxidized to carbon dioxide and water, generating ATP, NADH, and FADH2 in the process. However, this citric acid cycle should not be confused with β-oxidation; they are sequential yet distinct pathways in the overall catabolism of fatty acids.