The energy yield of fatty acid oxidation is approximately 129 ATP molecules per fatty acid, after accounting for the initial activation step.
Fatty acid oxidation, also known as beta-oxidation, is a metabolic process where fatty acids are broken down to produce energy. Let's examine the overall yield:
- The process involves breaking down fatty acids into acetyl-CoA molecules, which then enter the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle).
- The citric acid cycle generates NADH and FADH2, which are then used in the electron transport chain to produce ATP.
The reference article "Energy Yield from Fatty Acid Oxidation - Cliffs Notes" states that two ATP equivalents are used to activate the fatty acid. The total energy yield is around 129 ATPs, which is over three times the amount of energy obtained from metabolizing a single molecule of glucose.
Here's a summary in table format:
| Process | ATP Yield | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fatty Acid Activation | -2 ATP | Initial step requiring energy input. |
| Complete Fatty Acid Oxidation | ~129 ATP | Includes Beta-oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle and Oxidative Phosphorylation. |
The high ATP yield is due to the highly reduced state of fatty acids compared to carbohydrates, meaning they contain more carbon-hydrogen bonds that can be oxidized to release energy.
