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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3:02 minutes

Problem 93c

Textbook Question

Consider the complete oxidation of capric acid, a saturated fatty acid, [10:0].
c How many ATP are generated from the complete oxidation of capric acid?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the structure of capric acid. Capric acid is a saturated fatty acid with the formula C10H20O2. It contains 10 carbon atoms, no double bonds, and a carboxylic acid functional group.

Step 2: Calculate the number of acetyl-CoA molecules produced during β-oxidation. Each cycle of β-oxidation removes two carbons from the fatty acid chain, producing one acetyl-CoA. For a 10-carbon fatty acid, 5 acetyl-CoA molecules are produced.

Step 3: Determine the number of NADH and FADH2 molecules generated during β-oxidation. Each cycle of β-oxidation generates 1 NADH and 1 FADH2. Since there are 4 cycles (10 carbons divided into 5 acetyl-CoA molecules, with 4 cycles required to break the chain), 4 NADH and 4 FADH2 molecules are produced.

Step 4: Calculate the ATP yield from the acetyl-CoA molecules. Each acetyl-CoA enters the citric acid cycle, producing 3 NADH, 1 FADH2, and 1 GTP (equivalent to ATP). Multiply these values by the number of acetyl-CoA molecules (5) to find the total ATP contribution from the citric acid cycle.

Step 5: Add the ATP contributions from β-oxidation and the citric acid cycle. Convert NADH and FADH2 into ATP using their respective yields (NADH = 2.5 ATP, FADH2 = 1.5 ATP). Sum all ATP contributions to determine the total ATP generated from the complete oxidation of capric acid.

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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 generate energy. This process involves the conversion of fatty acids into acetyl-CoA through beta-oxidation, which then enters the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) to produce ATP. Understanding this process is crucial for calculating the energy yield from specific fatty acids like capric acid.

ATP Yield from Fatty Acids

The ATP yield from fatty acid oxidation can be calculated based on the number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid. 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. For capric acid, which has 10 carbon atoms, the total ATP yield can be determined by considering both the direct ATP produced and the ATP generated from NADH and FADH2.

Capric Acid Structure and Properties

Capric acid, also known as decanoic acid, is a saturated fatty acid with a 10-carbon chain. Its structure influences its metabolic pathway and energy yield during oxidation. Recognizing the specific characteristics of capric acid, such as its saturation and chain length, is essential for accurately calculating the total ATP produced during its complete oxidation.