Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

24. Lipid Metabolism

Oxidation of Fatty Acids

GOB Chemistry

24. Lipid Metabolism

Oxidation of Fatty Acids

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2:45 minutes

Problem 32

Textbook Question

How many molecules of acetyl-CoA result from catabolism of 1 molecule of glyceryl trilaurate?

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the structure of glyceryl trilaurate: It is a triacylglycerol (triglyceride) composed of glycerol and three lauric acid (C12:0) fatty acid chains.

Understand the breakdown process: During catabolism, triacylglycerols are hydrolyzed into one glycerol molecule and three fatty acid molecules. This is catalyzed by lipases.

Account for glycerol: Glycerol enters glycolysis and is converted into dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), which can then proceed through metabolic pathways. However, glycerol does not directly contribute to acetyl-CoA production in this context.

Determine the fate of the fatty acids: Each lauric acid (C12:0) undergoes beta-oxidation. In beta-oxidation, a fatty acid is broken down into acetyl-CoA molecules. For a C12 fatty acid, calculate the number of acetyl-CoA molecules produced using the formula: \( \text{Number of acetyl-CoA} = \frac{\text{Number of carbons in fatty acid}}{2} \).

Combine the results: Since there are three lauric acid molecules, multiply the number of acetyl-CoA molecules produced from one lauric acid by three to find the total number of acetyl-CoA molecules resulting from the catabolism of glyceryl trilaurate.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Glyceryl Trilaurate Structure

Glyceryl trilaurate is a triglyceride composed of glycerol and three lauric acid (C12) fatty acid chains. Understanding its structure is essential for determining how it is metabolized during catabolism, as the breakdown of each fatty acid chain will yield acetyl-CoA molecules, which are crucial for energy production in cellular respiration.

Beta-Oxidation

Beta-oxidation is the metabolic process by which fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondria to generate acetyl-CoA. Each cycle of beta-oxidation shortens the fatty acid chain by two carbon atoms, producing one molecule of acetyl-CoA per cycle, which is vital for understanding how many acetyl-CoA molecules are produced from the complete catabolism of glyceryl trilaurate.

Glycerol Metabolism

Glycerol, the backbone of triglycerides, can be converted into dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and subsequently into glucose or enter glycolysis. This conversion is important when calculating the total yield of acetyl-CoA from glyceryl trilaurate, as it adds to the overall energy output from the catabolism of the triglyceride.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Look back at the reactions of the citric acid cycle (Figure 21.8) and identify the three reactions in that cycle that are similar to the first three reactions of the β oxidation of a fatty acid.

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