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The citric acid cycle is described as amphibolic because its intermediates can also be used to:
AStore fat in adipose cells
BBuild non-essential amino acids
CCopy the DNA of the cell
DCarry oxygen around the body
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Build non-essential amino acids
1. Amphibolic means a pathway serves both breakdown and building roles.
2. The cycle is obviously catabolic, so the other half must be synthetic.
3. Several of the intermediate compounds in the citric acid cycle can be used in synthesizing non-essential amino acids.
4. Therefore the cycle is amphibolic, both catabolic and anabolic.
5. DNA copying and oxygen transport are unrelated to these intermediates.
_Source: OpenStax Biology for AP(R) Courses (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 'Cellular Respiration', sections 7.1-7.7_
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