Question

Complete oxidation of 1 mole of fatty acid yields 92.5 moles of ATP. What is the identity of this fatty acid?

Answer 1

Answer

The identity of this acid

1. the fatty acid is sequentially oxidized so as to convert most of its carbons to acetyl-coenzyme A
2. the acetyl-coenzyme A is oxidized by the reactions of the citric acid cycle.

The oxidation of long-chain fatty acids to acetyl-CoA is a central energy-yielding pathway in animals, many protists and some bacteria. Complete combustion or oxidaton of a typical fatty acid, palmitic acid, yields 2,380 kcal per mole.

CH3—(CH2)14—COOH + 23 O2???? 16 CO2 + 16 H2O + 2380 kcal/mole