Question

1. What prevents fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid degradation from occurring at the same time?

2. Name the function of the following molecules or enzyme.
a. bile salts
b. carnitine
c. acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)

3. Describe the biochemical processes associated with weight loss and weight gain.

Answer 1

Ans1) The process of fatty acid synthesis and degradation does not take place at the same time as they take place using different pathways. The process of fatty acid synthesis is when fatty acid is produced with help of acetyl CoA and NADPH in cytosol and this takes place when the carbohydrate are converted into fatty acid via acetyl CoA produced though the glycolytic cycle. When it comes to the degradation, fatty acid degradation takes place in mitochondrial matrix and it is broken down into metabolites that produce acetyl CoA and act as source of energy. The process cannot take place together as they occur for a purpose. For synthesis acetyl CoA is required which is provided only when there is carbohydrate that is broken down through glycolytic cycle and degradation takes place when there is requirement of energy, breaking fatty acid into acetyl CoA.

Ans 2)

1. Bile salts – The bile salts play an important role in the process of digestion and they help in solubilizing the fat molecule as well as vitamins that are fat soluble. They help in absorption and digestion process and is a greenish yellow fluid produced by liver. The bile salt is stored in gall bladder. It helps in breaking down fat molecule, remove waste and also helps in absorption of the fat soluble vitamin.
2. Carnitine – It is one of the important hormones that helps in process of production of energy in the body by transporting the long chain fatty acid into mitochondria which are oxidized and hence produces energy. Hence, it helps in beta oxidation and hence provides energy.
3. Acetyl CoA carboxylase – The enzyme helps in fatty acid synthesis and degradation and it is dependent in biotin. The enzyme helps in catalyzing the irreversible conversion of acetyl CoA to malonyl CoA and hence helps in regulating fatty acid metabolism.