Question

What is the citric acid cycle?

Answer 1

Also know as "Kreb's Cycle" or "Tricarboxylic Acid". It is the central metabolic hub in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.

It is used by all aerobic organisms to mainly generate energy by the oxidation of acetate into carbon dioxide (`CO_2`) while providing other metabolites for the cell to utilize: 1) NADH (general reducing agent in the cell) and 2) Some Amino Acids precursors.

It is a self-regenerating cycle that involves 10 steps catalyzed by 8 enzymes. It starts with Citrate and ends with Oxaloacetate that is converted into Citrate again through reacting it with Acetyl-CoA

A quick overview of the cycle can be seen

Sources & further reading:
Citric Acid Cycle