Question

Describe in words how fatty acids are released in the body AND how fatty acids arrive at the appropriate cellular location for use (no structures). Beginning from this point, provide the details in words (names of structures, enzymes, cofactors, etc.) for one round of fatty acid degradation.  Include the tissue and cellular locations for each part of the process of harvesting fatty acids for energy. What pathway does the primary product enter next? Provide details in words (names of structures, enzymes, cofactors, etc.) for the reaction steps where carbon leaves the pathway. You don't have to go over the entire pathway – only the steps where carbon is lost.

Answer 1

Fatty acid metabolism involves two processes anabolism [synthesis] and catabolism [break down].

Fatty acids are broken down to acetyl-CoA by means of beta oxidation inside the mitochondria, whereas fatty acids are synthesized from acetyl-CoA outside the mitochondria, in the cytosol. ... Instead the acetyl-CoA produced by the beta-oxidation of fatty acids condenses with oxaloacetate, to enter the citric acid cycle.

The fatty acids are entered into body through diet [meal]. The fatty acids are reached to the cell by catabolic processing through the digestive system by following steps –

1.Emulsification of fats by bile salts in small intestine

2.Digestion of triacyl glycerol by intestinal lipase.

3.Fatty acids absorbed by the intestinal mucosa and reconverted into triglycerols

4.Chylomicrons move through the lymphatic and blood vascular system to the tissue.

5.Liporotein lipase in capillary converts triglycerols to fatty acids and glycerols

6.Fatty acids entered into cells .

7.Fatty acids are broken down to acetyl-CoA by means of beta oxidation inside the mitochondria.

8.acetyl-CoA produced by the beta-oxidation of fatty acids condenses with oxaloacetate, to enter the citric acid cycle. And produced energy and release of CO2.

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See photos for pathway-