Chapter 15.9, Problem 2QQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To identify the compound in the form of which oxaloacetate produced during the citric acid cycle operation enters the urea cycle.

Concept introduction: A urea cycle is a cyclic biochemical pathway that involves the production of urea using ammonium ions and aspartate molecules as nitrogen sources. The desired product of the urea cycle is urea. It constitutes 4 steps. In step 1 carbamoyl phosphate transfers its carbamoyl group to ornithine to produce citrulline. Citrulline then condenses with aspartate in the second step to form argininosuccinate which then cleaves in the third step to form arginine and fumarate. In the final step, arginine reacts with water to produce urea.

The citric acid cycle is the third stage of the biochemical energy production process. The cycle includes the reactions in which the acetyl part of acetyl CoA is oxidized and leads to the formation of carbon dioxide and $\text{CoA}-\text{SH}$.