The intermediates of the citric acid cycle are constantly being depleted because they are used to produce many of the amino acids needed to make proteins.The enzyme pyruvate carboxylase converts pyruvate to oxaloacetate to replenish these intermediates.Bacteria, but not animal cells, have additional enzymes that can carry out the reaction acetyl CoA + isocitrate → oxaloacetate + succinate.Which of the following compounds will NOT support the growth of animal cells when used as the major source of carbon in food, but will support the growth of nonphotosynthetic bacteria?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fatty acids cannot be converted into glucose or other intermediates that feed into the citric acid cycle in animal cells because animals lack the glyoxylate cycle, which includes the enzyme that converts acetyl CoA and isocitrate to oxaloacetate and succinate. Nonphotosynthetic bacteria, however, can utilize fatty acids through this pathway to support growth.

The Intermediates of the Citric Acid Cycle Are Constantly Being