Question

What is the difference, in number of ATPs produced, between the oxidation of acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA? Assume for this question that all molecules enter citrate cycle and produce CAC products. Hint: Proprionyl CoA is converted to succinyl CoA. For this question assume that succinyl CoA enters CAC and continues all the way through (does not leave the cycle as malate).

Answer 1

When acetyl CoA enters the citric acid cycle, a total of 12 ATP molecules are produced.

Propionyl CoA enters the citric acid cycle after converting to Succinyl CoA first. From Succinyl CoA a total of 6 ATP molecules are produced in the citric acid cyle.

So the difference in the number of ATP molecules produced is 6.

Please note 1 ATP molecules is produced during conversion from succinyl CoA to succinate.

1 FADH2 molecule yields2 ATP molecules and 1NADH molecule yields 3 ATP molecules after entering the electron transport chain