Answer to Question #100995 in Chemistry for Abhishek

Question

Compare the energetics of metabolic oxidation of glucose and a fatty acid.

Answer 1

Glycolysis and glucose oxidation are the major sources of ATP production in the fetal heart and the fetus is exposed to low circulating fatty acid levels. In the adult, fatty acid oxidation becomes the predominant energy source (60–90%). Fatty acid oxidation yields the same ATP as glucose oxidation but requires ~12% more oxygen consumption/mole ATP. Even in the adult heart glucose metabolism continues to contribute 10–40% of ATP production.