Which process is used to produce energy from fatty acids?

Which process is used to produce energy from fatty acids?

• A. Glycolysis
• B. Beta oxidation
• C. Fermentation
• D. Deamination

Answer: (B)

Energy from fatty acids is produced mainly through beta-oxidation in the mitochondria, where fatty acids are broken down into acetyl-CoA units. Each cycle shortens the fatty acid by two carbons and generates NADH and FADH2, which feed the electron transport chain to make ATP; acetyl-CoA then enters the TCA cycle for additional ATP production. Transport into the mitochondria requires the carnitine shuttle, and the process continues for as long as fatty acids are available. This pathway is specific to fatty acids, unlike glycolysis (which uses glucose), fermentation (an anaerobic pathway of pyruvate), or deamination (removal of amino groups from amino acids).

Energy from fatty acids is produced mainly through beta-oxidation in the mitochondria, where fatty acids are broken down into acetyl-CoA units. Each cycle shortens the fatty acid by two carbons and generates NADH and FADH2, which feed the electron transport chain to make ATP; acetyl-CoA then enters the TCA cycle for additional ATP production. Transport into the mitochondria requires the carnitine shuttle, and the process continues for as long as fatty acids are available. This pathway is specific to fatty acids, unlike glycolysis (which uses glucose), fermentation (an anaerobic pathway of pyruvate), or deamination (removal of amino groups from amino acids).