Chapter 23, Problem 23.75QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason behind the ability of the brain to utilize ketone bodies under the starvation conditions has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Ketone bodies are essential ketonic substrates that can cross the blood-brain barrier and hence can be used up by the cell of the central nervous system as the alternative source of energy other than glucose.

In a situation when the amount of acetyl CoA is extremely low that it is inadequate for the beta-oxidation and citric acid cycle process, the acetyl CoA helps to synthesize certain ketone substrates such as $\text{β-hydroxybutyrate}$, acetoacetate, and acetone. All of these molecules consist of ketone functional group and are known as ketone bodies.