what does the krebs cycle do

The Krebs cycle functions as the central metabolic hub of the cell, responsible for the oxidation of acetyl-CoA into carbon dioxide while capturing high-energy electrons in the form of NADH and FADH₂. These electron carriers fuel the electron transport chain for ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, the cycle generates GTP (or ATP) through substrate-level phosphorylation and provides intermediates for biosynthetic pathways, including amino acid, nucleotide, and heme synthesis. It integrates catabolic and anabolic processes, regulates energy production, and maintains metabolic homeostasis.