Question

The form of fatty acid that is transported into the mitochondrion is

A) sulfated fatty acid.
B) fatty acyl CoA.
C) decarboxylated fatty acid residues.
D) triacylglycerols.
E) ketone bodies.

Answer 1

The form of fatty acid transported into the mitochondrion is fatty acyl CoA, which is conveyed across the mitochondrial membrane as a fatty acyl carnitine complex.

Step-by-step explanation:

The form of fatty acid that is transported into the mitochondrion is fatty acyl CoA. Within the cytoplasm, fatty acids are first converted into fatty acyl CoA molecules. Then, fatty acyl CoA combines with carnitine to form fatty acyl carnitine, which can be transported across the mitochondrial membrane. Once inside the mitochondrial matrix, it is converted back into fatty acyl CoA and undergoes β-oxidation to eventually form acetyl CoA for the Krebs cycle.

Once inside the matrix, the fatty acyl-CoA is converted back to fatty acyl CoA and then into acetyl CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle for ATP production.