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Multiple Choice
How many ATP molecules are produced from the complete oxidation of one molecule of palmitic acid (a common fatty acid)?
A
129 ATP
B
38 ATP
C
64 ATP
D
106 ATP
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that palmitic acid is a fatty acid with the chemical formula C16H32O2. The complete oxidation of palmitic acid involves its breakdown through beta-oxidation, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain.
Beta-oxidation of palmitic acid involves multiple cycles. Each cycle shortens the fatty acid chain by two carbon atoms, producing acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH2. Calculate the number of cycles needed to completely oxidize palmitic acid, which is 7 cycles for a 16-carbon fatty acid.
For each cycle of beta-oxidation, 1 NADH and 1 FADH2 are produced. Additionally, each acetyl-CoA enters the citric acid cycle, producing 3 NADH, 1 FADH2, and 1 ATP (or GTP). Calculate the total number of NADH, FADH2, and ATP produced from both beta-oxidation and the citric acid cycle.
Convert the NADH and FADH2 produced into ATP using the electron transport chain. Each NADH typically yields about 2.5 ATP, and each FADH2 yields about 1.5 ATP. Calculate the total ATP produced from NADH and FADH2.
Sum the ATP produced from the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain to find the total number of ATP molecules generated from the complete oxidation of one molecule of palmitic acid.