In aerobic metabolism, what is the primary function of the citric acid (Krebs) cycle?

• A. Break down glucose into two molecules of pyruvate while generating ATP and $NADH$
• B. Directly use $O_2$ as the terminal electron acceptor to form water and drive ATP synthesis
• C. Oxidize acetyl-CoA to $C_0{O}_2$ while producing $NADH$, $FA{D}_2$, and $GTP$ (or ATP)
• D. Synthesize acetyl-CoA from fatty acids by repeated removal of two-carbon units while producing $NADH$ and $FA{D}_2$

Answer: (C)