Can you imagine your body having a power plant? Sounds strange, doesn't it? But it's true; the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, is a power plant inside every cell of your body.
The citric acid cycle was discovered by Sir Hans Krebs, a German-British biologist, in 1937. It is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidization of acetate derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into carbon dioxide.
Picture this, the citric acid cycle as a carnival wheel. Each compartment of the wheel is a step in the cycle. The wheel begins to turn with a molecule of acetyl-CoA, which combines with a molecule called oxaloacetate to form citrate. As the wheel turns, each step transforms the citrate, releasing energy in the process. By the time the wheel comes full circle, the citrate has been converted back to oxaloacetate, ready to start the cycle again.
This cycle is crucial because it helps your body produce energy and get rid of waste. It's like a clean-up crew that also powers your home. Without the citric acid cycle, life as we know it would not be possible!