Anaplerotic reactions

Anaplerotic reactions are those that form intermediates of the TCA or citric acid cycle. As this is a cycle, formation of any of the intermediates can be used to 'top up' the whole cycle. Anaplerotic is of Greek origin, meaning "to fill up".

There are 4 reactions classed as anaplerotic, although the production of oxaloacetate from pyruvate is probably the most important physiologically.