The graphic shows the citric acid cycle. A diagram of the citric acid cycle is shown. Acetyl C o A enters the citric acid cycle and combines with a 4-carbon compound to form citric acid. During the citric acid cycle, what happens to acetyl-CoA? It enters the citric acid cycle and gains carbon dioxide to form citric acid, and gains more carbon dioxide through redox reactions to form a 4-carbon molecule. It enters the citric acid cycle and associates with a 4-carbon molecule, forming citric acid, and then through redox reactions regenerates the 4-carbon molecule. It enters glycolysis and associates with a 5-carbon molecule through redox reactions, forming another acetyl-CoA molecule. It enters the citric acid cycle and associates with a 4-carbon molecule, forming a 5-carbon compound, and then through oxidation reactions regenerates the 4-carbon molecule.