Question

The oxidation of an unsaturated fatty acid leads to the production of fewer atps than a saturated fatty acid with the same number of carbons because ____

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Oxidization of Fatty acids produces energy in form of NADH and FADH2 cofactors. We get energy from this oxidation. If there's a a double bond already in place, that's an oxidation so you can't get compensated in terms of FADH2 to create a double bond that was there from the outset. Therefore, if you have a monounsaturated fatty acid, you'll sacrifice the 1.5 ATP that you'd get from that FADH2. And if it's a polyunsaturated fatty acid, you lose more.

therefore, the double leads to bypassing of 1st oxidation reaction and hence eliminating first FADH product.