Martha Divakar · February 28, 2026 
Introduction
Biochemistry metabolic pathways like glycolysis, the Krebs cycle (also called TCA or citric acid cycle), and the urea cycle pack in tons of intermediates and steps. For med students, MCAT takers, or anyone in biology/nursing, memorizing them by rote feels endless and frustrating. But here’s the secret many top scorers use: clever mnemonics that turn dry lists into funny, unforgettable phrases.
These memory aids work because your brain locks onto stories, humor, and patterns way better than plain repetition. In this guide, we’ll share the most popular and reliable mnemonics. Pick a couple, repeat them aloud, and pair with pathway diagrams; you’ll recall them effortlessly in exams.
Why Mnemonics Work So Well for Metabolic Pathways
Complex pathways have 8–10 steps each. Mnemonics link them into silly sentences or acronyms, making recall automatic. It’s like remembering a friend’s silly story instead of a random list. Students often report cutting study time in half and boosting accuracy, especially under exam pressure.
Top Glycolysis Mnemonics
Glycolysis converts glucose to pyruvate in 10 steps, split into energy-investment and energy-payoff phases.
The most loved mnemonic for intermediates:
“Goodness Gracious Father Franklin Did Go By Picking Pumpkins (to) Prepare Pies”
- Goodness → Glucose
- Gracious → Glucose-6-phosphate
- Father → Fructose-6-phosphate
- Franklin → Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate
- Did → Dihydroxyacetone phosphate
- Go → Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
- By → 1,3-Bisphosphoglycerate
- Picking → 3-Phosphoglycerate
- Pumpkins → 2-Phosphoglycerate
- Prepare → Phosphoenolpyruvate
- Pies → Pyruvate
A cheeky alternative many love: “Girls Get Fine Food; Gentlemen Dine Girls; Boys Prefer to Pick up Pepperoni Pizza” (breaks it into fun chunks for easier recall).
Pro tip: Chant it while sketching the pathway.
Krebs Cycle (TCA Cycle) Mnemonics
The Krebs cycle processes acetyl-CoA, regenerating oxaloacetate while producing CO₂, NADH, FADH₂, and GTP/ATP.
Classic mnemonic for the 8 intermediates:
“Can I Keep Selling Soda For Money, Officer?” (or “Citrate Is Krebs’ Special Substrate For Making Oxaloacetate”)
- Can → Citrate
- I → Isocitrate
- Keep → α-Ketoglutarate
- Selling → Succinyl-CoA
- Soda → Succinate
- For → Fumarate
- Money → Malate
- Officer → Oxaloacetate
This one flows smoothly and covers the full loop. Remember: it starts and ends with oxaloacetate; true cycle magic!
Urea Cycle Mnemonics
The urea cycle converts toxic ammonia to urea in the liver, involving mitochondria and cytosol.
Popular mnemonic for key intermediates:
“Ordinarily Careless Crappers Are Also Frivolous About Urination”
- Ordinarily → Ornithine
- Careless → Carbamoyl Phosphate (or sometimes starts with carbamoyl)
- Crappers → Citrulline
- Are → ArgininoSuccinate
- Also → Arginine
- Frivolous → Fumarate
- About Urination → Urea
A cleaner variant: “Of Course, Cats Always Ask For Awesome Umbrellas” (Ornithine, Carbamoyl phosphate, Citrulline, Aspartate, Argininosuccinate, Arginine, Urea).
Bonus for fatty acid oxidation basics: Repeating steps are Oxidation, Hydration, Oxidation, Thiolysis → “OHOT” or fun twists like “Only Heroes Only Triumph.”
How Career Plan B Helps
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FAQs
- What’s the best mnemonic for glycolysis intermediates?
“Goodness Gracious Father Franklin Did Go By Picking Pumpkins (to) Prepare Pies”; it’s comprehensive and widely used.
- How can I remember the Krebs cycle order quickly?
“Can I Keep Selling Soda For Money, Officer?” nails the intermediates in sequence every time.
- Are mnemonics enough for biochemistry exams?
They’re excellent for recall, but combine them with understanding reactions, regulation, and practice questions for top scores.
- Any reliable urea cycle mnemonic?
“Ordinarily Careless Crappers Are Also Frivolous About Urination” covers the main steps hilariously well.
- What if mnemonics still don’t stick for me?
Customize them (make them personal or sillier), repeat while drawing pathways, use spaced repetition apps, or teach a friend; the active recall seals it.
Conclusion
With these top mnemonics, glycolysis, Krebs cycle, urea cycle, and other pathways become memorable stories instead of stressful lists. Start small: pick your favorites, recite daily, and visualize the steps. Soon, you’ll recall them instantly and focus on the bigger picture, like why these pathways matter for health and energy.
You’ve got the tools; try one today and feel the difference! If biochem hurdles are making you rethink your goals, consider expert career guidance to keep moving forward confidently.
