Final answer:
Fatty acid oxidation or beta-oxidation is a process that takes place in the mitochondria, where fatty acids are broken down to produce acetyl-CoA which then contributes to ATP production through the Krebs cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fatty acid oxidation, also known as beta (ß)-oxidation, is the metabolic process by which fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondria to generate acetyl-CoA, which then enters the Krebs cycle for ATP production. Initially, fatty acids are activated in the cytosol and converted into fatty acyl-CoA. The fatty acyl-CoA is then transported into the mitochondria with the help of carnitine. Once inside the mitochondrial matrix, beta-oxidation occurs, which includes a series of steps such as dehydrogenation, hydration, and a second dehydrogenation, each progressively cutting the fatty acid chain to ultimately yield acetyl-CoA units.