Metabolic Fate of Alpha-Ketoglutarate

In cellular metabolism, reactions often interconnect, allowing substrates and products to participate in multiple pathways. One such pathway is the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, which plays a crucial role in energy production through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Each turn of the Krebs cycle generates high-energy molecules in the form of NADH and FADH₂, which subsequently enter the electron transport chain to produce ATP.

Consider the following metabolic substrate: alpha-ketoglutarate. This intermediate is known to participate in the Krebs cycle. Which of the following statements accurately describes a direct metabolic fate of alpha-ketoglutarate during the cycle?