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Question

From the oxidation of one molecule of palmitic acid (fatty acid), the number of ATP molecules gained as net are

A
131
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B
129
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C
38
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D
142
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Solution

The correct option is B 129
The oxidation of fatty acid occurs in the following step in mitochondria:
1. activation of fatty acid
2. beta-oxidation
3. Kreb's cycle
Palmitic acid is made up of 16 carbons, so going by the formula C2n, then 2n=16 for palmitic acid, hence, n=8. So, 8 acetyl Co-A are produced. Now, n-1 will be the number of NADH and FADH2 produced, so, n-1=7 for palmitic acid. Hence, there will be 7 FADH2 and 7 NADH.
Now, 1 NADH gives 3 ATP, so 7 NADH will give 21 ATP
1 FADH2 gives 2 ATP, so 7 FADH2 will give 14 ATP
1 Acetyl Co-A through Kreb's cycle gives 12 ATP, so 8 Acetyl Co-A will give 96 ATP.
Hence, a total of 131 ATP will be formed. But 2 ATPs have been used in the activation of the fatty acid in the first step so, 131-2=129 ATPs as net will be formed.
Hence, the correct answer is '129'

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