TCA cycle is an amphibolic pathway. Justify it

The metabolic pathway which has both catabolic as well as anabolic potential is known as amphibolic pathway.

TCA cycle is clearly a catabolic pathway, because here acetyl CoA is oxidized to produce ATP and CO₂.

TCA cycle is an anabolic pathway because it provides:

·        Citrate which on coming to cytoplasm gives acetyl CoA for synthesis of fatty acid, cholesterol and steroids.

·        α-ketoglutarate for synthesis of glutamate and glutamine.

·        Succinyl CoA for heme synthesis

·        Oxaloacetate for synthesis of aspartate & asparagines

·        Intermediates of TCA cycle for gluconeogenesis