Answer:
The function of the citric acid cycle is to produce carbon dioxide to balance the oxygen requirement for cellular respiration.
Explanation:
In the citric acid cycle, pyruvate is first decarboxylated, leading to the production of CO₂, NADH, and the energy-rich substance acetyl-CoA. The acetyl group of acetyl-CoA then combines with the four-carbon compound oxaloacetate, forming the six-carbon compound citric acid. A series of reactions follow, and two additional CO₂ molecules, three more NADH, and one FADH are formed. Ultimately, oxaloacetate is regenerated to return as an acetyl acceptor, thus completing the cycle .
