What is the role of Acetyl-CoA in cellular respiration?

Acetyl-CoA plays a crucial role in cellular respiration, particularly in the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle. Once glucose is broken down through glycolysis, the product pyruvate is then converted into Acetyl-CoA through a process called aerobic respiration. This conversion is significant because Acetyl-CoA is the primary substrate that enters the Krebs cycle.

Once Acetyl-CoA enters the Krebs cycle, it undergoes a series of enzymatic reactions that lead to the production of energy-rich molecules such as NADH and FADH2. These molecules are vital because they capture high-energy electrons that are later used in the electron transport chain to generate ATP, the energy currency of the cell. Therefore, the key role of Acetyl-CoA is to act as a pivotal entry point for carbon compounds into the Krebs cycle, facilitating the process of energy extraction from nutrients.