In: Chemistry
In the citric acid cycle, malate is oxidized to oxaloacetate by the enzyme malate dehydrogenase, which uses NAD+ as an electron acceptor. In cells, the ratio of [NAD+]/[NADH] is kept very high. Given the following standard reduction potentials, explain why it is so important for cells to maintain this ratio. Justify your answer with words, equations and diagrams.
oxaloacetate + 2H+ + 2e- -> malate
E°red= -0.166 V
NAD+ + H+ + 2e- > NADH
E°red= -0.320