LIFE SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Role in gluconeogenesis This pathway thus allows cells to obtain energy from fat. To use acetate from fat for biosynthesis of carbohydrates, the glyoxylate cycle, whose initial reactions are identical to the TCA cycle, is used.

Detailed explanation-2: -The glyoxylate cycle, also called the glyoxylate shunt, is present in fungi, plants, and bacteria, but not in mammals. The cycle is essential for growth on two-carbon compounds such as ethanol and acetate, and plays an anaplerotic role in the provision of precursors for biosynthesis.

Detailed explanation-3: -Key enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle, isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase (MS), have been detected in the liver of alloxan-treated rats.

Detailed explanation-4: -However, by using two specific enzymes, isocitrate lyase and malate synthase, the glyoxylate cycle is able to bypass the CO2 releasing, oxidative steps of the TCA cycle (isocitrate dehydrogenase, and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase or 2-oxoglutarate decarboxylase (20)).