Acetyl Coenzyme A

Acetyl Coenzyme A (pronounced as a-set-il ko-en-zime A), often abbreviated as Acetyl-CoA or AcCoA, is a crucial molecule involved in many biochemical reactions in protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism.

Etymology

The term Acetyl Coenzyme A is derived from its structure. The "Acetyl" part refers to the acetyl functional group that is part of the molecule. The "Coenzyme A" part refers to the coenzyme part of the molecule that is derived from the vitamin pantothenic acid.

Biochemical Role

Acetyl Coenzyme A plays a central role in the Krebs cycle (also known as the citric acid cycle or TCA cycle), where it contributes two-carbon units in the form of acetyl groups to the cycle. This process is crucial for the production of ATP, the main energy currency of the cell.

In addition to its role in the Krebs cycle, Acetyl Coenzyme A is also involved in the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol, and it serves as an acetyl group donor in various biochemical reactions.

Related Terms

• Coenzyme
• Metabolism
• Krebs cycle
• Adenosine triphosphate
• Fatty acid synthesis
• Cholesterol synthesis

See Also

• Biochemistry
• Cell biology
• Molecular biology

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