[Campbell Biology P.221] The citric acid cycle is also known as the Krebs cycle. Which of th... | Practice Question

The citric acid cycle is also known as the Krebs cycle. Which of the following best describes its primary function and why it's named after citrate?

  • A: It's named after Hans Krebs who discovered it, and its main function is to produce large amounts of ATP directly.
  • B: It's named after citrate, which is the first compound formed when acetyl CoA enters the cycle, and it further oxidizes organic fuel.
  • C: It's named after Krebs and citrate, and its primary function is to regenerate glucose.
  • D: It's named because it uses citric acid as its main input, and it reduces FADH2 to FAD.

Explanation

The text explains that citrate is the ionized form of citric acid, 'for which the cycle is named.' It also describes the citric acid cycle as a 'metabolic furnace that further oxidizes organic fuel derived from pyruvate.' Hans Krebs discovered the pathway, giving it the alternative name, but the question asks why it's named after citrate.