Answer to Question #273087 in General Chemistry for snr

Question

Compare and contrast beta, alpha, and omega oxidative pathways and their products

and importance.

Answer 1

Beta oxidation- Major mechanism, occurs in the mitochondria matrix. 2-C units are released as acetyl CoA per cycle.

The products of beta-oxidation are:

• acetyl CoA.
• FADH₂, NADH and H. ⁺

2)Alpha oxidation- Predominantly takes place in brain and liver, one carbon is lost in the form of CO2 per cycle.

Alpha oxidation (α-oxidation) is a process by which certain fatty acids are broken down by removal of a single carbon from the carboxyl end. In humans, alpha-oxidation is used in peroxisomes to break down dietary phytanic acid, which cannot undergo beta-oxidation due to its β-methyl branch, into pristanic acid.

Significance of Omega oxidation

Studies confirm that ω- and (ω-1)-oxidation of fatty acids play crucial roles in the production of insect pheromones of honeybees and in the formation of biopolyesters of higher plants.