Question

How is palmitoleic acid (C16 monounsaturated fatty acid) completely catabolized in mammalian cells? What are the overall products yielded in a complete oxidation of palmitoleic acid?

Answer 1

The palmitoleic acid is completely oxidised in mammalian system by the process of beta oxidation which takes place in mitochondria.In this the fatty acids beta carbon goes oxidation to the carbonyl group.This oxidation of fatty acids involves cleaving of two fatty acids in each cycle to release acetyl COA.Hence a 16 carbon fatty acid need 8 cycle for complete breakdown.Its breakdown results in acetyl-COA which form 10 ATP molecules as it gets transfered to the citric acid cycle.The FADH and NADH are also produced which enters the oxidative electron transport chain to release energy.

The complete oxidation of the palmitoleic acid will yield-

7 FADH= 1.5*7 =10.5 ATP

7 NADH= 2.5*7= 17.5 ATP

10 Acetyl COA= 10*8=80 ATP

Minus 2 ATP used to activate fatty acids so it enters mitochondria

Hence net=108 ATP