Learning Strategies in Biochemistry:
The Citric Acid Cycle

Revised 2008/05/22

Essential Review:

From organic chemistry, review these concepts:

• Addition of carbanions to aldehydes and ketones (such as the Perkin reaction)
• Decarboxylation of 3-ketoacids
• Prochirality

Essential Memory Work:

Using the citrate cycle pathway chart in your text, memorize the following:

• Complete structures and names of all intermediates from pyruvate and oxaloacetate to CO₂ and oxaloacetate, including their stereochemistry if they are chiral.
• Names of all enzymes.
• Points of use or production of NTP, NDP, Pi, and all cofactors (NAD, FAD, TPP, and so forth).

Quiz(Beginning of First Class on Citric Acid Cycle)

On the blank paper provided, draw a chart of the citric acid cycle, including all the details listed in Essential Memory Work, above. 10 minutes.

Pathway Information Provided on USM Exams

Memorizing pathways is primarily an aid to learning more about them. Questions on exams will be on a higher level than mere memory work. On exams that cover topics in metabolism, your instructor will provide pathways charts of any pathways you need in order to answer exam questions. So there is no need to come to exams prepared to regurgitate pathways. Instead, come prepared to use your experience with pathways -- gained by memory work, reading, and problem solving -- to answer questions, interpret data, and solve problems about them.

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