Chapter 14, Problem 14.57EP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether saturated fatty acids produce more FADH₂ or unsaturated fatty acids has to be determined.

Concept introduction:

β-oxidation is a catabolic process occurring in the body through which, fatty acid molecules are broken down in the mitochondria of the cells to generate energy. The process involves breaking down long fatty acid chains that have been converted to acyl CoA chains into smaller fatty acyl CoA chains. The fatty acid chain is broken down until the final acyl CoA chain cannot be broken down any further. The end products of this metabolic process are acetyl CoA, FADH₂and NADH. These three molecules later enter the Krebs cycle where they are used to produce ATP molecules.