How many molecules of acetyl-CoA are produced by catabolism of the following fatty acids, and how many β oxidations are needed?
a. Palmitic acid, CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COOH

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the structure of the fatty acid. Palmitic acid has the formula CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COOH. This means it has a total of 16 carbon atoms (1 from CH₃, 14 from CH₂ groups, and 1 from the COOH group).
2. Step 2: Recall the process of ß-oxidation. Each cycle of ß-oxidation removes a 2-carbon acetyl group from the fatty acid chain, which is converted into acetyl-CoA. The number of ß-oxidation cycles required is one less than the number of acetyl-CoA molecules produced.
3. Step 3: Determine the number of acetyl-CoA molecules. Since each acetyl-CoA contains 2 carbons, divide the total number of carbons in palmitic acid (16) by 2. This gives the total number of acetyl-CoA molecules produced.
4. Step 4: Calculate the number of ß-oxidation cycles. Subtract 1 from the number of acetyl-CoA molecules calculated in Step 3. This is because the final 2-carbon unit does not require an additional ß-oxidation cycle to be released.
5. Step 5: Summarize the results. The number of acetyl-CoA molecules produced and the number of ß-oxidation cycles required can now be determined based on the calculations in Steps 3 and 4.

Key Concepts

Fatty Acid Catabolism

Fatty acid catabolism refers to the metabolic process by which fatty acids are broken down to produce energy. This process primarily occurs in the mitochondria through a series of reactions known as beta-oxidation, where fatty acids are converted into acetyl-CoA units, which then enter the citric acid cycle for further energy production.

Beta-Oxidation

Beta-oxidation is the biochemical pathway that breaks down fatty acids into acetyl-CoA. Each cycle of beta-oxidation shortens the fatty acid chain by two carbon atoms, producing one molecule of acetyl-CoA and generating reducing equivalents in the form of NADH and FADH2, which are used in the electron transport chain to produce ATP.

Acetyl-CoA Production

Acetyl-CoA is a central metabolite in energy metabolism, formed from the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. In the context of fatty acid catabolism, each molecule of palmitic acid (a 16-carbon fatty acid) undergoes seven cycles of beta-oxidation, yielding eight molecules of acetyl-CoA, which can then be utilized in the citric acid cycle for ATP production.