Question

Acetate is used by some bacteria to create Acetyl Co-A. Which cellular cycle uses acetyl co-A and what is the fate of the carbons of the acetate?

Answer 1

The cellular cycle that uses acetyl Co-A as a carbon source is glyoxylate cycle which is modification of tricarboxylic acid where four carbon dicarboxylic acid from two carbon acetate units,

This bypasses the two oxidative decarboxylation step of TCA cycle that makes simple carbon compounds to synthesize later to macromolecules like glucose which are the source of energy.

The fate of the carbons of the acetate is in the form simple carbon compounds like glyoxylate or to succinate molecules which are synthesized to energy molecules like glucose, fructose from lipids via acetate in fatty acid beta oxidation cycle.