Question

The connecting link among glycolysis, Kreb's cycle and beta-oxidation of fatty acid is (a) Pyruvic acid (b) Acetyl-CoA (c) Acetaldehyde (d) Citric acid

Short answer

The connecting link among glycolysis, Kreb's cycle and beta-oxidation of fatty acid is Acetyl-CoA.

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the molecule in glycolysis

Glycolysis is a process where glucose is converted into pyruvate. The pyruvate is then converted into Acetyl-CoA, which is the entry molecule into the Kreb's cycle.

Identifying the molecule in the Kreb's cycle

The Kreb's cycle, also known as citric acid cycle, utilized Acetyl-CoA to produce energy. Acetyl-CoA combines with oxaloacetate to form citric acid, which, through a series of reactions, releases energy.

Identifying the molecule in Beta-oxidation of fatty acids

Beta-oxidation is the process where fatty acids are broken down to generate Acetyl-CoA. This Acetyl-CoA then enters the Kreb's Cycle.

Conclusion

From the above steps, it is clear that Acetyl-CoA is involved in all three processes - glycolysis, Kreb's cycle, and beta-oxidation of fatty acids. Hence Acetyl-CoA is the connecting molecule among these three biochemical processes.

Key concepts

Glycolysis

Glycolysis is the first stage in the breakdown of glucose to extract energy for cellular metabolism. Think of it as the opening act in the energy-releasing drama of all aerobic organisms.
During glycolysis, a single glucose molecule, which is a six-carbon sugar, is split into two pyruvate molecules, each containing three carbons. This process takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell and is anaerobic, meaning it does not require oxygen.

• Glycolysis produces a net gain of 2 ATP molecules, providing energy for the cell.
• It also generates 2 NADH molecules, which are used in further processes for more ATP production.

The pyruvate formed at the end of glycolysis is transported into the mitochondria, where it’s converted into Acetyl-CoA. This conversion is crucial because Acetyl-CoA acts as a key that unlocks deeper energy reserves in our cells. Thus, Acetyl-CoA becomes the connecting link to the next stage known as the Kreb's Cycle.

Kreb's Cycle

The Kreb's Cycle, also famously known as the Citric Acid Cycle, is the beating heart of aerobic respiration. Once Acetyl-CoA enters the mitochondria, it kicks off a complex series of reactions that lead to energy production.
Inside the mitochondria, Acetyl-CoA combines with oxaloacetate to form citric acid. This is the starting point of a cyclical series of chemical reactions that produce ATP, NADH, and FADH2, all of which are then used for further energy extraction.

• The cycle does not directly produce a large amount of ATP, but it fuels the Electron Transport Chain with high-energy electrons carried by NADH and FADH2.
• By the end of the cycle, the original glucose molecule has been fully broken down, releasing carbon dioxide as a waste product.

Because it integrates other metabolic pathways, the Kreb's Cycle is a central hub in energy metabolism, providing metabolites for everything from fat synthesis to the construction of another cell backbone. Acetyl-CoA’s role here ensures that the Kreb's Cycle continually rounds its course towards power production.

Beta-oxidation of fatty acids

Beta-oxidation is a metabolic process where fatty acids are broken down in mitochondria to generate Acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH2. This process is like a carefully orchestrated dance of carbon atoms, which step by step, strip off carbon units from fatty acids.
Beta-oxidation starts by activating a fatty acid in the cytoplasm and transporting it into the mitochondria. Once inside, the fatty acid undergoes cycles of oxidation, cleaving two-carbon units at a time to form Acetyl-CoA.

• The two-carbon units released in the form of Acetyl-CoA enter the Kreb's Cycle, linking fatty acid catabolism to energy production.
• Resultant NADH and FADH2 molecules are fed into the Electron Transport Chain, yielding ATP.

This pathway is fundamental for energy production from fats, especially during periods of prolonged exercise, fasting, or carbohydrate restriction. The seamless connection it shares with both Glycolysis and the Kreb's Cycle underscores the versatility and efficiency of cellular energy metabolism, all pivoting around the key player - Acetyl-CoA.