The reference only describes products formed during a single cycle of beta-oxidation, not complete oxidation. Therefore, to accurately answer what the products are from the complete oxidation of fatty acids, we need to rephrase the question to include the broader picture. The rephrased question is:
What are the final products from the complete oxidation of fatty acids, and what are the products from each cycle of beta-oxidation?
Here's a breakdown:
Complete Oxidation Products
Complete oxidation of fatty acids results in the following end products:
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Water (H2O)
- Energy (in the form of ATP, NADH, and FADH2)
The process involves breaking down fatty acids into acetyl-CoA molecules via beta-oxidation, which then enter the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) for further oxidation, ultimately leading to the production of CO2, H2O, and energy-rich molecules.
Products of Each Beta-Oxidation Cycle
Each cycle of beta-oxidation produces:
- Acetyl-CoA: Enters the citric acid cycle.
- FADH2: Used in the electron transport chain for ATP production.
- NADH: Used in the electron transport chain for ATP production.
- A fatty acyl-CoA shortened by two carbon atoms: This molecule then re-enters beta-oxidation, repeating the cycle. This is catalyzed by thiolase. According to the provided reference, because each shortened fatty acyl-CoA cycles back to the beginning of the pathway, β-oxidation is sometimes referred to as the fatty acid spiral.
Summary Table
| Process | Input | Products |
|---|---|---|
| Beta-Oxidation (per cycle) | Fatty acyl-CoA | Acetyl-CoA, FADH2, NADH, Shortened Fatty acyl-CoA |
| Complete Oxidation | Fatty acids | CO2, H2O, ATP |
