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The energy-rich fuel molecules produced in the TCA cycle are

 

Option: 1

2 GTP, 2 NADH and 1  FADH2 


Option: 2

1 GTP, 2 NADH and 2  FADH2


Option: 3

1 GTP, 3 NADH and 1 FADH2


Option: 4

2 GTP and 3 NADH


Answers (1)

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The energy-rich fuel molecules produced in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle or Krebs cycle, are as follows:

GTP (guanosine triphosphate): GTP is a high-energy molecule that is similar to ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and can be used as a source of cellular energy. During one turn of the TCA cycle, one GTP molecule is generated. GTP can subsequently be converted to ATP through the action of the enzyme nucleoside diphosphate kinase.

NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced form): NADH is a coenzyme that plays a crucial role in cellular respiration. It carries high-energy electrons that are harvested from the breakdown of glucose and other fuel molecules. During the TCA cycle, three NADH molecules are produced per turn. NADH can later participate in the electron transport chain to generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.

FADH2 (flavin adenine dinucleotide, reduced form):FADH2 is another coenzyme involved in cellular respiration. Like NADH, it carries high-energy electrons derived from the breakdown of fuel molecules. In the TCA cycle, one molecule of FADH2 is generated per turn. FADH2 also participates in the electron transport chain to generate ATP.

These energy-rich molecules (GTP, NADH, and FADH2) serve as important intermediates that store energy during the TCA cycle. They play a key role in transferring electrons to the electron transport chain, where ATP is ultimately generated through oxidative phosphorylation. Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

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