Beta-oxidation of a C18:0 (stearic acid, fully saturated) fatty acyl-CoA molecule yields how many acetyl-CoA molecules?
- A 9 ✓
- B 7
- C 8
- D 10
Correct answer: A. 9
Explanation
Each round of beta-oxidation cleaves a 2-carbon acetyl-CoA unit from the acyl-CoA chain. An 18-carbon fatty acid requires 8 rounds of beta-oxidation, producing 8 FADH2, 8 NADH, and 9 acetyl-CoA molecules (the final round simultaneously yields 2 acetyl-CoA). The formula is: number of acetyl-CoA = n/2 where n = carbon number, giving 18/2 = 9 acetyl-CoA.
Reference: Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 32nd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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