Final answer:
In the fasting state, fatty acids in circulation come from the breakdown of triacylglycerols in adipose tissue, which is hydrolyzed into fatty acids and glycerol.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the fasting state, the primary source of fatty acids present in circulation is from adipose tissue. During fasting, when energy from carbohydrates is not available, the body turns to the energy stored in adipose tissue.
This stored energy is in the form of triacylglycerols, which are hydrolyzed by lipases into fatty acids and glycerol, and then released into the bloodstream. These fatty acids are transported through the blood and can be taken up by organs such as the muscle and the liver, where they are used to generate acetyl-CoA, that enters the Krebs cycle for ATP production.