-The citric acid cycle.
If pyruvate oxidation is blocked, what will happen to the levels of oxaloacetate and citric acid in the citric acid cycle shown in the accompanying figure?
A) Oxaloacetate will decrease and citric acid will accumulate.
B) Oxaloacetate will accumulate and citric acid will decrease.
C) Both oxaloacetate and citric acid will decrease.
D) Both oxaloacetate and citric acid will accumulate.

Question

-The citric acid cycle.
If pyruvate oxidation is blocked, what will happen to the levels of oxaloacetate and citric acid in the citric acid cycle shown in the accompanying figure?
A) Oxaloacetate will decrease and citric acid will accumulate. 
B) Oxaloacetate will accumulate and citric acid will decrease. 
C) Both oxaloacetate and citric acid will decrease. 
D) Both oxaloacetate and citric acid will accumulate.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pyruvate oxidation produces acetyl-CoA, which combines with oxaloacetate to form citric acid in the citric acid cycle. If pyruvate oxidation is blocked, there will be a decreased supply of acetyl-CoA, which will ultimately result in a decrease in the level of citric acid. However, oxaloacetate will accumulate because it cannot combine with acetyl-CoA to form citric acid. This leads to a buildup of oxaloacetate in the cycle.

-The Citric Acid Cycle