Chapter 20, Problem 13E

Summary Introduction

To determine: The number of rounds of β-oxidation that is required to produce butyrate.

Concept introduction: Beta-oxidation is a catabolic process in which fatty acid molecules are broken down to generate acetyl-CoA that enters the citric acid cycle. In the prokaryotes, fatty acid molecules are broken down in the cytosol and in the eukaryotes fatty acid molecules are broken down in the mitochondria. Butyrate is produced during the fermentation of feedstuffs in the rumen and it is readily absorbed by the rumen wall.