What are the primary products of the Krebs Cycle for each Acetyl CoA processed?

The Krebs Cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or TCA cycle, is a central metabolic pathway that takes place in the mitochondria of cells, where it plays a critical role in cellular respiration by processing Acetyl CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

For each molecule of Acetyl CoA that enters the Krebs Cycle, the primary products generated are indeed 1 ATP (or GTP, which can be readily converted to ATP), 3 NADH, and 1 FADH2.

The 1 ATP is produced through substrate-level phosphorylation during one of the steps in the cycle. The three NADH molecules are generated through oxidative reactions, specifically during the steps that involve the conversion of isocitrate to alpha-ketoglutarate, alpha-ketoglutarate to succinyl-CoA, and malate to oxaloacetate. Each NADH produced will later participate in the electron transport chain, contributing to the generation of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. The 1 FADH2 arises from the conversion of succinate to fumarate.

This pattern of product formation is consistent for each turn of the cycle and underscores the Krebs Cycle's role in both energy production and the supply of intermedi