Answer to Question #94969 in Biochemistry for Kylie

Question

Compare and contrast the oxidation of even and odd number fatty acids.

Answer 1

The main pathway for the degradation of fatty acids is through β-oxidation. It was found that fatty acids with an odd number of carbon atoms are oxidized in the same way as fatty acids with an even number of carbon atoms, with the only difference being that at the last stage of the β-oxidation one propionyl-CoA molecule and one acetyl-CoA molecule are formed, not 2 acetyl-CoA molecules as in the case of β-oxidation of fatty acids with an even number of carbon atoms.