Kat Thomson

MCAT Citric Acid Cycle

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Kat Thomson

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Man eating fruit after exercising to represent MCAT citric acid cycle - image by Magoosh

So you want to familiarize yourself with the MCAT citric acid cycle content? You’ve come to the right place! The citric acid cycle, also known as Krebs cycle or Tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), can seem quite complicated, but we’ve broken it down, step by step. Check out our guide to bio and biochem topics on the MCAT as well!

For a PDF version of this content, as well as more MCAT resources, click the link below!

Click here to download more Magoosh MCAT resources

And now, without further ado, let’s jump in…

Citric Acid Cycle Preparation

First and foremost, you’ll want to know the basics of citric acid cycle preparation, which is demonstrated in the following diagram:

This magoosh image is a breakdown of the citric acid cycle preparation, including an explanation of glycolysis

Okay, now onto the actual citric acid cycle.

Citric Acid Cycle

Below is a breakdown of each step of the citric acid cycle, complete with a diagram and key control points.

Overall Reaction

2 acetyl groups + 6 NAD+ + 2 FAD + 2 ADP + 2 Pi → 4 CO2 + 6 NADH + 6 H+ + 2 FADH2 + 2 ATP

  • In mitochondrial matrix (cytosol of prokaryotes)
  • Objective: Oxidize acetyl-CoA to CO2, while producing energy
  • Aerobic respiration (CO2 present)

Steps

  1. Citrate Formation
  2. Citrate Isomerized to Isocitrate
  3. α-Ketoglutarate and CO2 Formation
  4. Succinyl-CoA and CO2 Formation
  5. Succinate Formation
  6. Fumarate Formation
    • Takes place on inner membrane
    • GTP formed directly
  7. Malate Formation
  8. Oxaloacetate Regenerated

Diagram of the MCAT citric acid cycle - image by Magoosh

ATP of MCAT citric acid cycle - image by Magoosh

Key Control Points

Citrate Synthesis (Step 1)

  • Irreversible
  • Stimulated by ADP, NAD+
  • Inhibited by NADH, succinyl CoA, citrate, ATP

Isocitrate Dehydrogenase (Step 2)

  • Rate limiting step, irreversible
  • Stimulated by ADP, Ca2+
  • Inhibited by ATP

α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (Step 3)

  • Irreversible
  • Stimulated by Ca2+, NAD+
  • Inhibited by succinyl-CoA, NADH

Tips and Reminders

Here’s a great mnemonic device for remembering the CAC substrates:

A Magoosh image with a mnemonic device for remembering the CAC substrates in the citric acid cycle

Also, as a reminder, the MCAT will not test on individual enzymes but major inputs, outputs, and regulatory enzymes.

A Final Word on MCAT Citric Acid Cycle Questions

Like with any of the processes tested on the Bio/Biochem section of the MCAT, you’ll want to go beyond just memorizing steps, in favor of actually understanding how mechanisms work with one another. For the MCAT Krebs cycle, it helps to study the steps alongside a visual representation.

Want more MCAT practice? Check out Magoosh’s MCAT prep, including hundreds of lessons, practice questions, and more!

Happy studying and good luck!

Author

  • Kat Thomson

    Kat is the Senior Curriculum Manager at Magoosh with a specialty in the MCAT. She has a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Ph.D. in medical sociology from the University of California, San Francisco, where she earned the Distinguished Dissertation Award in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Kat has been teaching premed and nursing students since 2005 as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco, Bowdoin, and the University of California, Berkeley, while collaborating on multiple research projects and publications. In addition to the MCAT, Kat has taught courses in Research Methods, Gender, Global and Environmental Health, and others. She is passionate about increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in medicine and helping students get into the medical schools of their dreams. You can join Kat on Instagram and YouTube.

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