Question

Β-oxidation

A) is the second step in the oxidation of glucose.
B) is a process used to oxidize fatty acids.
C) occurs in the cytoplasm.
D) is a process used to digest some polysaccharides.
E) lengthens fatty acids by addition of two carbons.

Answer 1

β-oxidation is the process used to oxidize fatty acids within mitochondria, where the fatty acyl-CoA molecule is shortened by two carbon atoms, producing acetyl-CoA that feeds into the Krebs cycle for ATP production.

B) is a process used to oxidize fatty acids.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding β-Oxidation

β-oxidation is a process used to oxidize fatty acids. It takes place within mitochondria, after fatty acyl-CoA is transported from the cytoplasm into the mitochondria. During β-oxidation, the fatty acid undergoes a series of four reactions to ultimately remove acetyl-CoA molecules. Each cycle of β-oxidation shortens the fatty acyl-CoA by two carbon atoms, and the process continues until the last fragment left is acetyl-CoA. This acetyl-CoA then enters the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, contributing to the production of ATP, which is an energy source for the cell.

The initial step of β-oxidation involves the oxidation of the β-carbon atom to a carbonyl group, which is not to be confused with glycolysis, the process that deals with the oxidation of glucose in the cytoplasm or with the digestion of polysaccharides. The correct answer to the student's question is that β-oxidation (B) is a process used to oxidize fatty acids.