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

Total Energy from Fatty Acids

GOB Chemistry

24. Lipid Metabolism

Total Energy from Fatty Acids

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1:25 minutes

Problem 98d

Textbook Question

Which of the following molecules will produce the most ATP per mole?
d. lauric acid (C₁₂₎ or palmitic acid (C₁₆)

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the relationship between the number of carbon atoms in a fatty acid and ATP production. Fatty acids with more carbon atoms undergo more rounds of beta-oxidation, producing more acetyl-CoA molecules, which enter the citric acid cycle to generate ATP.

Step 2: Compare the molecular formulas of lauric acid (C₁₂) and palmitic acid (C₁₆). Lauric acid has 12 carbon atoms, while palmitic acid has 16 carbon atoms.

Step 3: Recall that each round of beta-oxidation removes two carbon atoms from the fatty acid chain, producing one acetyl-CoA molecule. A longer fatty acid chain (like palmitic acid) will undergo more rounds of beta-oxidation compared to a shorter chain (like lauric acid).

Step 4: Consider the additional ATP generated during the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation for each acetyl-CoA molecule produced. Since palmitic acid produces more acetyl-CoA molecules, it will ultimately generate more ATP per mole.

Step 5: Conclude that palmitic acid (C₁₆) will produce more ATP per mole than lauric acid (C₁₂) due to its longer carbon chain and greater number of beta-oxidation cycles.

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Key Concepts

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

Fatty Acid Oxidation

Fatty acid oxidation is the metabolic process by which fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondria to produce energy. This process involves the conversion of fatty acids into acetyl-CoA, which then enters the citric acid cycle, leading to the production of ATP. The length of the fatty acid chain affects the amount of ATP generated, as longer chains yield more acetyl-CoA and thus more energy.

ATP Yield from Fatty Acids

The ATP yield from fatty acids is determined by the number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain. Each cycle of beta-oxidation produces one molecule of acetyl-CoA and generates NADH and FADH2, which are further processed in the electron transport chain to produce ATP. Generally, longer fatty acids like palmitic acid (C16) produce more ATP than shorter ones like lauric acid (C12) due to the increased number of acetyl-CoA produced.

Comparative Energy Content

Comparative energy content refers to the amount of energy stored in different molecules, which can be assessed by their structure and composition. In the case of fatty acids, the longer the carbon chain, the higher the energy content, as more carbon-hydrogen bonds are present. This concept is crucial for understanding why palmitic acid, with its longer chain, will yield more ATP compared to lauric acid.