The breakdown of one glucose molecule during glycolysis results in 2 molecules of pyruvate, which are then oxidized to 2 molecules of acetyl-CoA, and these, in turn, are substrates for the citric acid cycle. If all three fatty acids of a triacylglycerol molecule (a fat molecule) are palmitic acid (C16, having 16 carbons), how many acetyl-CoA molecules would result from beta-oxidation of all of these fatty acids?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Each palmitic acid molecule undergoes beta-oxidation to yield 8 acetyl-CoA molecules. Since there are 3 palmitic acids in a triacylglycerol molecule, the total is 3 x 8 = 24 acetyl-CoA molecules.

The Breakdown of One Glucose Molecule During Glycolysis Results in 2