TCA cycle (Citric Acid cycle) ● Oxidation of pyruvate ○ From glycolysis ● Light dependent pathway (different from RuBP kelvin cycle) ● Plants does not rely on B-oxidation for generation of cellular energy TCA cycle as energy source ● Link Glycolysis to Mitochondrial Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation Alternative Carbon source for TCA cycle ● When glycolysis is not creating enough pyruvate ● Malic Enzyme ○ Oxides malted to pyruvate ○ Release CO2 in the process ○ Support pyruvate supply for glycolysis TCA cycle : linked to N-Assimilation ● PEP carboxylase ○ Alternative source of C ○ Regeneration phase of TCA TCA cycle functions in several ways ● Oxidation of pyruvate from glycolysis to generate NADH for oxidative electron transport and cellular ATP synthesis ● Generating carbon skeletons for N assimilation ○ Amino acid biosynthesis ○ Other metabolites Modification to the TCA cycle form the basis of alternative metabolic pathways ● Oxidation of other cellular carbons ○ Malate ○ Citrate ○ Keto acids ● Conversion of seed oil to carbohydrate during germination ○ Glyoxylate