Question

Which of the following statements concerning the enzymatic mechanism of citrate synthase is correct?

a) Citrate synthase converts citrate into oxaloacetate in the Krebs cycle.
b) Citrate synthase catalyzes the formation of citrate from oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA.
c) Citrate synthase is involved in glycolysis.
d) Citrate synthase breaks down citrate into acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate.

Answer 1

Citrate synthase catalyzes the formation of citrate by combining oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA, marking the beginning of the Krebs cycle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement concerning the enzymatic mechanism of citrate synthase is that it catalyzes the formation of citrate from oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA.

Specifically, to initiate the Krebs cycle, citrate synthase combines acetyl CoA with oxaloacetate to create a six-carbon citrate molecule. As the cycle continues, this citrate is then metabolically transformed into a five-carbon molecule and finally into a four-carbon molecule, eventually regenerating oxaloacetate for another turn of the cycle.