Oxidative enzyme systems of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L.

1. Oxidative dissimilation has been studied in enzymes from the honey bee. Using mitochondria isolated from the thoraces, complete oxidation of most of the TCA cycle members has been shown. 2. The presence of the acetate-activating enzyme, citrate-condensing enzyme, isocitric dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate, and 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase has been demonstrated and the cofactor requirements established. 3. The oxidation of isocitric acid has been shown to be either non-specific for the D- or L-isomer, or the presence of a racemase is indicated. 4. The presence of the pentose cycle is indicated in the soluble portion of the thoracic homogenate.