where does the krebs cycle occur

Sourav PanApril 18, 2025

Answered

The Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix of eukaryotic cells. The matrix provides the optimal environment for the enzymes and cofactors involved in the cycle’s complex series of reactions, which convert acetyl-CoA into carbon dioxide and capture high-energy electrons in the form of NADH and FADH₂. These electrons are crucial for ATP generation through the electron transport chain, which resides in the inner mitochondrial membrane adjacent to the matrix. In prokaryotic organisms, which do not possess mitochondria, the Krebs cycle takes place in the cytoplasm, maintaining similar biochemical functions adapted to their cellular architecture.