Answer to Question #119060 in Biochemistry for Richard Klottey Botchway

Question

differences between the beta oxidation of saturated fatty acids and an unsaturated fatty acid

Answer 1

1) If the double bond originated at an odd carbon position, then compared to a fully saturated fatty acid of the same carbon length, there will be 1.5 ATP less for each unsaturation at the odd carbon position, due to one less FADH2 being produced for each unsaturation.

2) If the double bond originated at an even-numbered carbon position, then compared to an equivalent length fully saturated fatty acid, there is one less NADH equivalent (or 2.5 ATP) produced, due to the use of NADPH in the step catalyzed by the 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase.

3) oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids requires two additional enzymes and the beta oxidation of the fatty acid produces an intermediate with a cis bond