Question

how much atp is made when a fatty acid consisting of 17C is metabolized

Answer 1

These fatty acids are subjected to β-oxidation in the same way as fatty acids with even numbers of carbons. However, the final β-oxidation spiral results in the production of the three-carbon compound propionyl-CoA, which cannot be metabolized in the same way as acetyl -CoA ( even number fatty acid gives two molecules of acetyl CoA in the final round of degradation.). Instead, propionyl-CoA is converted to succinyl-CoA by consuming 1 ATP.

for 16 carbons, we have

16/2 - 1 rounds = 7 rounds.

Activation of the fatty acid to Acyl CoA = -2 ATP

7 rounds x 5 ATP/ round = 35 ATP

Number of units of Acetyl CoA produced = 7 Acetyl CoA

7 Acetyl CoA x 12 ATP/Acetyl CoA = 84 ATP

Propionyl CoA up to Succinyl CoA = -1ATP

Succinyl CoA up to Malate = 3 ATP

Malate up to Pyruvate (1 NADPH.H⁺)

Pyruvate up to Acetyl Co A = 3 ATP

Acetyl CoA oxidation in the Krebs Cycle = 12 ATP

Total of ATP (considering the total oxidation of Propionyl CoA converted to Malate and then from Malate to Pyruvate and then from Pyruvate to Acetyl CoA = -2 + 35 +84 -1 + 3 +3 +12 = 134 ATP

The above is for following the equivalence of 1 NADH.H⁺ yielding 3 ATP in the Respiratory Chain and 1 FADH2 yielding 2 ATP.

ATP produced = 134

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