Question

Beta oxidation is a step in the synthesis of cholesterol that involves:

A. closing of a linear fatty acid chain into a steroid loop.
B. breakdown of fatty acids into two-carbon units to form acetyl CoA.
C. synthesis of bile salts from precursor lipids.
D. absorption of micelles from the small intestine.

Answer 1

Beta oxidation is the process where fatty acids are oxidized to form two-carbon units of acetyl CoA, which then enter the Krebs cycle to produce ATP. The correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question about beta oxidation is related to the metabolic process by which fatty acids are broken down in the body. Beta oxidation is a sequence of four reactions in which fatty acyl-CoA molecules are oxidized, leading to the removal of acetyl-CoA molecules.

These reactions include: 1) Activation of fatty acids, 2) Formation of a-β unsaturated acyl-CoA (Enoyl-CoA), 3) Formation of β-hydroxy acyl-CoA, 4) Formation of β-keto acyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA then enters the Krebs cycle, contributing to the production of ATP.

The correct answer to the student's question is B: breakdown of fatty acids into two-carbon units to form acetyl CoA.