The TCA cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or citric acid cycle, is the central metabolic pathway that catalyzes the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy in the form of ATP, NADH, and FADH2. The TCA cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and is the final common pathway for the oxidation of these three macronutrient types. Through a series of chemical reactions, acetyl-CoA is oxidized, producing carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions that will be used in the electron transport chain to generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.