Question

Assume that 2.5 ATPs are generated per NADH and 1.5 ATPs per FADH2. How many ATPs are generated from the FADH2 and NADH molecules from each repetition of the β-oxidation pathway? Express your answer as an integer

Answer 1

The overall reaction for one cycle of beta oxidation is:

Cn-acyl CoA + FAD + NAD⁺ + H₂O + CoA ---->Cn-2-acyl CoA + FADH₂ + NADH + H⁺ + acetyl CoA

Each repetition of the beta-oxidation pathway produces one NADH and one FADH₂ molecules.

So, 1 NADH gives 1 x 2.5 ATP = 2.5 ATP

1 FADH2 gives 1 x 1.5 ATP = 1.5 ATP

So, the total number of ATP produced are 2.5+1.5 = 4 ATPs.

4 ATPs are generated from the FADH₂ and NADH molecules from each repetition of the β-oxidation pathway.