Question

The breakdown of fatty acids via the Beta-oxidation metabolic pathway results in the production of (B), which feeds into the (?) metabolic pathway.

Answer 1

Breakdown of fatty acids via beta oxidation occurs in 4 steps are as follows =

STEP 1 - the fatty acyl CoA is dehydrogenated with the FAD accepting the hydrogen atoms. FADH₂ when oxidised in electron transport chain will produce 2 ATP molecules.

STEP 2 - this step forms a beta-hydroxy fatty acyl CoA.

STEP 3 - another dehydrogenation takes place with help of NADH, which when oxidized in electron transport chain will generate 2.5 ATPs.

STEP 4 - one molecule of acetyl CoA is liberated, leaving behind a fatty acid with 2 carbon atom less.

Summery of beta oxidation of fatty acids like palmittic acid (16 carbon). It undergoes 7 cycles, which give rise to 8 molecules of acetyl CoA.

Every molecule of acetyl CoA when oxidized in the TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle gives 10 molecules of ATP.