Textbook Question
Which of the following molecules will produce the most ATP per mole?
d. lauric acid (C12) or palmitic acid (C16)
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24. Lipid Metabolism
Total Energy from Fatty Acids
2:26 minutesProblem 45
Textbook Question
Arrange these following four molecules in increasing order of their biological energy content (per mole):
a. Sucrose
b. Myristic acid, CH3(CH2)12COOH
c. Glucose
d. Capric acid, CH3(CH2)8COOH
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the problem. The task is to arrange the given molecules (sucrose, myristic acid, glucose, and capric acid) in increasing order of their biological energy content per mole. Biological energy content is typically related to the number of high-energy bonds (e.g., C-H and C-C bonds) and the molecule's oxidation state.
Step 2: Analyze the structure of each molecule. Sucrose and glucose are carbohydrates, while myristic acid and capric acid are fatty acids. Fatty acids generally have more C-H bonds and are less oxidized compared to carbohydrates, meaning they typically have higher biological energy content.
Step 3: Compare the fatty acids. Myristic acid (CH₃(CH₂)₁₂COOH) has a longer hydrocarbon chain than capric acid (CH₃(CH₂)₈COOH), which means it has more C-H bonds and thus more biological energy content.
Step 4: Compare the carbohydrates. Sucrose is a disaccharide (composed of two monosaccharides) and has more bonds than glucose, a monosaccharide. However, carbohydrates are generally more oxidized than fatty acids, so their energy content is lower than that of fatty acids.
Step 5: Arrange the molecules in increasing order of biological energy content. Based on the analysis, glucose (most oxidized carbohydrate) has the least energy, followed by sucrose, then capric acid, and finally myristic acid (longest fatty acid chain with the most energy).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Biological Energy Content
Biological energy content refers to the amount of energy that can be derived from a molecule when it is metabolized by living organisms. This energy is often measured in kilojoules or calories per mole and is influenced by the molecular structure, including the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms, which are key sources of energy in biological systems.
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Fatty Acids vs. Carbohydrates
Fatty acids, such as myristic and capric acid, typically have higher energy content per mole compared to carbohydrates like glucose and sucrose. This is due to their longer hydrocarbon chains, which provide more carbon-hydrogen bonds that can be oxidized to release energy. Understanding the differences in energy storage between these two types of molecules is crucial for arranging them by energy content.
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Molecular Structure and Energy Release
The molecular structure of a compound significantly affects its energy release during metabolism. For instance, the presence of multiple carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds in fatty acids allows for greater energy release compared to simpler structures like glucose or sucrose. Analyzing the structural features of each molecule helps in determining their relative energy content.
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