Question 25.2: How many times does stearic acid (CH3(CH2)16COOH) spiral thr...

How many times does stearic acid (CH_3(CH_2)_{16}COOH) spiral through the β-oxidation pathway to produce acetyl-SCoA?
ANALYSIS Each turn of the β-oxidation spiral pathway produces 1 acetylSCoA. To determine the number of turns, divide the total number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid, 18 in this case, by 2 since an acetyl group contains two carbon atoms and they come from the fatty acid. Subtract 1 turn, since the last turn produces two acetyl-SCoA molecules.

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Stearic acid contains 18 carbon atoms; the acetyl group contains 2 carbon atoms. Therefore 8 β oxidations occur, and 9 molecules of acetyl-SCoA are produced.

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