Question

Determine the cost (in ATP) to synthesize palmitic acid. Show all work!!

Answer 1

Activation of any fatty acid consumes two ATPs. Following this activation, the oxidation of palmitic acid results in the formation of 8 acetyl-CoA, 7 FADH2, and 7 NADH because palmitic acid has 16 carbons. Each of these products can then be oxidized to synthesize ATP from ADP. The P/O ratios, which gives the number of ATP produced per molecule are 1.5 for FADH2, 2.5 for NADH, and 10 for acetyl-CoA. Thus, the total ATP produced can be calculated as follows:

Activation energy = - 2 ATP

Oxidation of acetyl – CoA 8 x 10 = 80 ATP

Oxidation of FADH2                               7 x 1.5 = 10.5 ATP

Oxidation of NADH 7 x 2.5 = 17.5 ATP              

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Total = 106 ATP

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Therefore, the total ATP yield of oxidation of palmitic acid is 106 ATP