Assignment 01

Differentiate the different type of FA oxidation as to:

1. Definition
2. Location where the process occurs
3. Purpose

Beta-oxidation.
DEFINITION:Fatty acids are the primary fuel source for beta-
oxidation, a basic metabolic activity that takes place in the mitochondria of cells.AcetylCoA units consist of two carb
ons and are produced via a cyclic sequence of enzyme processes that gradually dissolve fatty acid chains. Thiolytic
cleavage, hydration, dehydrogenation once more, and dehydrogenation are the four main processes in these
reactions.
AcetylCoA is released by this process and goes on to enter the citric acid cycle, where it produces ATP, the main ene
rgy unit of cells. This process is repeated several times.During times of fasting or when there is a greater need for en
ergy, this mechanism is very crucial for obtaining energy from fats.

LOCATION: The mitochondria of cells are the primary site of beta oxidation.
The enzymatic processes of betaoxidation occur within the matrix of the mitochondria, which are the cellular organe
lles in charge of producing energy.
Fatty acids are broken down into acetylCoA molecules in this process, which go on to produce ATP, an energy-
producing compound, in the citric acid cycle.

PURPOSE: Beta-oxidation produces acetyl-

CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle (sometimes referred to as the Krebs cycle) and successively cleaves twocarbo
n units off the fatty acid chain. This process produces ATP, the primary energy currency of cells.When glucose availa
bility may be restricted, such as during periods of fasting or higher energy demands, this process enables the effecti
ve use of stored fats as an energy source.

Alpha-oxidation
DEFINITION: A specific type of fatty acid destruction called alpha-oxidation mostly takes place in peroxisomes within
cells. It is particularly important in the breakdown of branched-chain fatty acids, which because of their structural
makeup, are unable to be beta-oxidized. The fatty acid chain's carboxylic acid end is where this pathway starts by
removing one carbon unit, usually a methyl group. A special group of enzymes known just to alpha-oxidation aid in
this process. Subsequent alterations to this mechanism finally allow the branched-chain fatty acids to be
transformed into intermediates that can be employed for energy production or to enter other metabolic pathways.
When it comes to the metabolism of some fatty acids, alpha-oxidation is necessary because the more popular beta-
oxidation route is unable to metabolize them.

LOCATION: In cells, peroxisomes are the primary sites of alpha-oxidation.

Specialized organelles known as peroxisomes are engaged in a variety of metabolic functions, including as the break
down of specific fatty acids that have branching structures and are not processed by the more widely used beta-
oxidation route.

PURPOSE: Alpha-oxidation is primarily used to break down certain kinds of fatty acids, especially those with
branching structures, whose special configurations prevent them from being broken down by beta-oxidation.
Alphaoxidation aids in the metabolism of these branchedchain fatty acids by starting the breakdown process in pero
xisomes. This allows the fatty acids to eventually be converted into intermediates that can either enter other metab
olic pathways or be used to produce energy.For the clearance and processing of some fatty acids that are unable to
proceed via the standard beta-oxidation pathway, this pathway is essential.
Omega- Oxidation
DEFINITION:Another process by which longchain fatty acids are broken down is called omega oxidati
on, and it frequently takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum of cells.
When there is an impairment or overload in the regular betaoxidation pathway, this process gets tri
ggered.At the omega (ω) carbon, the terminal carbon of the fatty acid chain that is farthest from the
carboxylic acid end, a hydroxyl group is introduced.Enzymes, such as cytochrome P450 enzymes, aid
in the process of hydroxylation, which turns fatty acids into more watersoluble molecules.This alter
ation aids in the removal of these fatty acids from the body or permits more metabolism, which help
s with detoxification and adaptation in circumstances where beta-oxidation is inhibited.
Particularly important tissues where omega oxidation occurs are the liver and kidneys, where it cont
ributes to fatty

LOCATION:The endoplasmic reticulum of cells is where omega oxidation mostly takes place.The end
oplasmic reticulum is a multifaceted network of membranes found in cells that is involved in detoxifi
cation, protein synthesis, and lipid metabolism. When beta-
oxidation is compromised or overloaded, this organelle's omega oxidation enzymes help break dow
n long-chain fatty acids that are not able to go through the standard beta-oxidation pathway.

PURPOSE: The main function of omega oxidation is to break down long-

chain fatty acids that are too big to be broken down by the standard beta-oxidation pathway.
Omega oxidation provides an alternative pathway for the breakdown of these long-
chain fatty acids, particularly those with structural defects that impede normal processing, when bet
a-oxidation is inhibited or overloaded.
Enzymes involved in omega oxidation change these fatty acids by adding a hydroxyl group at the om
ega (ω) carbon, which increases their water solubility and facilitates their removal from the body or e
ntry into other metabolic pathways. When the normal beta-
oxidation process is disrupted, this process contributes to detoxification and helps to maintain fatty
acid homeostasis.
Assignment 02

The body produces the derivative amino acid known as carnitine, which is essential for the metabolism of fatty acids
and the generation of energy. Its principal role is to facilitate the passage of long-
chain fatty acids through the membranes of the mitochondria, which is the site of beta-oxidation.
In order to convert these fatty acids into acetyl-
CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle and produces energy in the form of ATP, this process is essential.

By encouraging the breakdown of fats, elevated carnitine levels may theoretically improve the use of fat stores for e
nergy production and aid in weight loss.
By attaching to fatty acids and facilitating their entry into the mitochondria for oxidation, carnitine functions as a car
rier molecule.
With claims to increase fat burning and encourage the use of stored fat for energy, supplements containing carnitin
e are frequently promoted as possible weight loss tools.
However, there is scant and conflicting scientific data to support the idea that supplementing with carnitine has a dir
ect and significant impact on weight loss alone.

According to some research, carnitine supplements may improve the efficiency of converting fat into energy during
exercise or athletic performance, which may have a slight effect on fat oxidation.
On the other hand, compared to rest, this effect seems to be more pronounced during extended physical activity.
Because of its ability to optimize mitochondrial function, enhance fat utilization, and possibly sparge glycogen during
exercise—all of which may increase exercise capacity and endurance—carnitine may have an impact on weight loss.

With amino acids like lysine and methionine that are obtained through diet—from meat, poultry, fish, and dairy—
the body can usually synthesize enough carnitine.
Thus, there may not be as much need for extra carnitine in supplements for people who eat a balanced diet.
For people who follow vegetarian or vegan diets, which may provide lower levels of dietary carnitine, or for those wi
th specific medical conditions affecting carnitine metabolism, carnitine supplements may be more relevant.

Although certain research indicates that carnitine supplementation may be advantageous in certain situations, its inf
luence on total weight loss is still small and comes in second to other elements such as lifestyle, metabolism, exercis
e, and food.
Consequences of consuming too much carnitine may include unpleasant body odor, nausea, vomiting, and upset sto
mach. This condition is called "fish odor syndrome."
It's important to speak with a healthcare provider before beginning carnitine supplementation for weight loss or any
other reason, as each person responds differently to supplements and there may be interactions with medications
or medical conditions.

In conclusion, while carnitine does play a pivotal role in fatty acid metabolism and energy production, its direct and
significant impact on weight loss when used as a supplement alone is limited and not yet fully established by
scientific evidence.
Assignment 03

Lauirc Acid
-Acetyl- CoA 5x 10 ATP = 50 ATP
FADH2 : 5x1.5 ATP = 7.5 ATP
NADH: 3x2.5 ATP= 12.5 ATP
ATP + 7.5+ 12.5= 70 ATP

Mystric acid
AcetYI - COA : 6 x 10 ATP = 60 ATP
FADH2 6x 1.5 ATP = 9 ATP
NADH 6x 2.5 ATP = 15ATP
Total ATP produced = 60
At+ 9 +15 = 80 ATP

Stearic Acid
Acetyl -COA : 8 x10 ATP = 80 ATP
FADH 2: 8 x I.5 ATP = 12 ATP
NADH : 8 x 2.5 ATP = 20 ATP
Total ATP produced = 80
ATP+12+70=112 ATP