How many molecules of ATP are produced from the complete metabolism of a molecule of stearic acid?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms, undergoes beta-oxidation to yield 9 acetyl-CoA molecules. Each acetyl-CoA molecule can enter the citric acid cycle, producing 12 ATPs (3 NADH, 1 FADH2, and 1 GTP per cycle, equivalent to 12 ATPs when considering the typical ATP yields from NADH and FADH2 in oxidative phosphorylation). Additionally, beta-oxidation of each of the 8 pairs of carbon atoms in stearic acid produces 1 FADH2 and 1 NADH, equivalent to 5 ATPs per pair (4 ATPs from NADH and 1 ATP from FADH2, considering the typical ATP yields). Therefore, the total ATP yield is (9 acetyl-CoA x 12 ATP/acetyl-CoA) + (8 pairs x 5 ATP/pair) = 108 + 40 = 148 ATPs. However, this calculation does not directly match any of the provided options, suggesting a need for clarification in the context of the question. Given the options, none directly corresponds to the calculated total, indicating a potential misunderstanding in the question's context or a simplification in the ATP yield assumptions. The correct answer, based on standard biochemistry calculations, doesn't match the provided choices, pointing to a discrepancy that might stem from different assumptions about ATP yield per NADH, FADH2, or the inclusion/exclusion of ATP costs for activation of stearic acid.

How Many Molecules of ATP Are Produced from the Complete