Chapter 25.4, Problem 6QQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The number of turns of the $\beta -\text{oxidation}$ pathway needed to “process” a ${\text{C}}_{16}$ unsaturated fatty acid has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

The $\beta -\text{oxidation}$ pathway is defined as a repetitive series of four biochemical reactions in which $\text{acyl CoA}$ is degraded to $\text{acetyl CoA}$ by the removal of two carbon atoms at a time.  NADH and ${\text{FADH}}_2$ are also produced in this pathway. The reaction types and the functional group changes in the $\beta -\text{oxidation}$ pathway for a saturated fatty acid are as follows:

Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double/triple bonds between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. These acids are common components of dietary triacylglycerols.