One consequence of ethanol addiction is fatty liver disease, an illness in which liver cells accumulate large amounts of triacylglycerols, the esters derived from glycerol and fatty acids. Ethanol is oxidized in the cytoplasm of liver cells by alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase to yield acetate and 2 NADH. Acetate is then transported into the mitochondrion, where it is converted to acetyl-CoA and metabolized in the citric acid cycle. When alcohol is consumed in excessive quantities, the resulting high levels of NADH cause metabolic abnormalities, one of which is high levels of fatty acid synthesis. Fatty acid synthesis, also a cytoplasmic process, uses acetyl-CoA as a substrate and NADPH as a reducing agent. Speculate about how a high level of cytoplasmic NADH provides a source of NADPH for fatty acid synthesis.

Biochemistry
9th Edition
ISBN:9781319114671
Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1P
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question

One consequence of ethanol addiction is fatty liver disease, an illness in which liver cells
accumulate large amounts of triacylglycerols, the esters derived from glycerol and fatty acids.
Ethanol is oxidized in the cytoplasm of liver cells by alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde
dehydrogenase to yield acetate and 2 NADH. Acetate is then transported into the
mitochondrion, where it is converted to acetyl-CoA and metabolized in the citric acid cycle.
When alcohol is consumed in excessive quantities, the resulting high levels of NADH cause
metabolic abnormalities, one of which is high levels of fatty acid synthesis. Fatty acid
synthesis, also a cytoplasmic process, uses acetyl-CoA as a substrate and NADPH as a
reducing agent. Speculate about how a high level of cytoplasmic NADH provides a source of
NADPH for fatty acid synthesis.

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Metabolic pathways
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biochemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781319114671
Author:
Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781464126116
Author:
David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox
Publisher:
W. H. Freeman
Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecul…
Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecul…
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781118918401
Author:
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt
Publisher:
WILEY
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781305961135
Author:
Mary K. Campbell, Shawn O. Farrell, Owen M. McDougal
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9781305577206
Author:
Reginald H. Garrett, Charles M. Grisham
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological …
Fundamentals of General, Organic, and Biological …
Biochemistry
ISBN:
9780134015187
Author:
John E. McMurry, David S. Ballantine, Carl A. Hoeger, Virginia E. Peterson
Publisher:
PEARSON