Unlocking the Power of Acetyl CoA: Its Role in Cellular Respiration and Synthesis of Key Molecules

acetyl CoA

the combination of an acetyl group derived from pyruvic acid and coenzyme A which is made from pantothenic acid (a B-group vitamin)

Acetyl CoA is a molecule that plays a critical role in many biochemical processes in living organisms, particularly in cellular respiration. It is created through the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body.

Acetyl CoA is formed when pyruvate (a three-carbon molecule) is produced through glycolysis in the cytosol of a cell and transported into the mitochondria of the cell. Here, the pyruvate is converted into acetyl CoA through the action of the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase, which removes a carbon dioxide molecule and adds a coenzyme A molecule to the remaining two-carbon fragment.

Acetyl CoA enters the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle) within the mitochondria, where it combines with oxaloacetate to produce citric acid, a six-carbon molecule. The citric acid is then gradually broken down, releasing energy that is used to produce ATP (the primary energy source for cells).

Acetyl CoA also serves as a building block for the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, and other important molecules in the body. Therefore, acetyl CoA is an essential molecule for a wide variety of biochemical processes and is vital for sustaining life.

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