Final answer:
The Krebs cycle provides potential energy sources in the form of ATP, NADH, and FADH2. NADH and FADH2 are used for further ATP production in oxidative phosphorylation, making the Krebs cycle more energy-efficient than glycolysis alone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The potential energy sources available from the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, include ATP, NADH, and FADH2. These molecules are high-energy carriers that store energy to be used later in the process of oxidative phosphorylation. ATP can be used directly by the cell as an energy source. NADH and FADH2 transport electrons to the electron transport chain, which leads to the production of additional ATP, thereby increasing the total energy yield from the metabolism of glucose.
The Krebs cycle yields more energy per kilogram than glycolysis alone, as aerobic respiration, which includes the Krebs cycle, results in a ΔG of -2880kJ per mole of glucose compared to -135kJ per mole for glycolysis. This higher efficiency is crucial because it allows organisms to capture and use more energy from the same amount of glucose, which is especially important for organisms with high energy demands.