Before entering the Krebs cycle, an intermediate molecule bonds to a 2-carbon molecule. This intermediate complex enters the Krebs cycle and combines with a 4-carbon molecule to form citric acid. The name of this molecule is ____________________.
A.
citrase
B.
FADH
C.
ATP synthase
D.
coenzyme A
Coenzyme a
D acetyl coa or coenzyme A
Coenzyme a
The correct answer is D. coenzyme A.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the process that occurs before entering the Krebs cycle.
Before entering the Krebs cycle, a 2-carbon molecule called acetyl-CoA combines with a 4-carbon molecule called oxaloacetate to form a 6-carbon molecule called citric acid. This citric acid then goes on to enter the Krebs cycle, where it is further broken down and oxidized to produce energy.
The molecule that is responsible for carrying the 2-carbon acetyl group is called coenzyme A, or CoA for short. Coenzyme A is a small molecule that binds to the acetyl group and forms acetyl-CoA, which can then enter the Krebs cycle.
Therefore, the correct answer is D. coenzyme A.