Final answer:
Complete beta-oxidation of one mole of laurate results in the production of acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH2. Since laurate is a 12-carbon fatty acid, beta-oxidation will produce 6 moles of acetyl-CoA, 5 moles of NADH, and 5 moles of FADH2, encompassing all the options given, hence the correct answer is D) All of the above.
Step-by-step explanation:
If one mole of laurate undergoes complete beta-oxidation, it will produce several molecules that are crucial in cellular respiration. Laurate is a 12-carbon fatty acid, and through beta-oxidation, each cycle will cleave off two carbon atoms in the form of acetyl-CoA. The process will occur a total of five times for laurate, as the final cycle will produce two molecules of acetyl-CoA.
Therefore, in total, one mole of laurate will result in 6 moles of acetyl-CoA (as 5 cycles produce 1 each, and the last cycle produces 2). For each cycle of beta-oxidation, one molecule of FAD is reduced to FADH2, and one molecule of NAD is reduced to NADH, resulting in 5 moles of FADH2 and 5 moles of NADH being produced during the breakdown of one mole of laurate.
Subsequently, these molecules enter the electron transport chain, where they contribute to the synthesis of ATP. The complete beta-oxidation of one mole of laurate, therefore, results in the production of acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH2. In short, the answer to the question is D) All of the above.