Understanding Fatty Acid Synthesis and Degradation in Cellular Metabolism

When comparing fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid degradation, which of the following statements is TRUE?a. Synthesis occurs primarily in the cytoplasm; degradation primarily in themitochondriab. The synthetic pathway uses acyl carnitine to cross the inner mitochondrial membrane; the degradation pathway uses citratec. Synthesis requires NADH; degradation produces NADPHd. Synthesis occurs in all tissues; degradation occurs only in the livere. Synthesis requires many discrete enzymes; degradation requires one enzyme withmultiple activities

a. Synthesis occurs primarily in the cytoplasm; degradation primarily in themitochondria

The correct answer is (a) Synthesis occurs primarily in the cytoplasm; degradation primarily in the mitochondria.

Fatty acid synthesis and degradation are two opposing processes involved in the metabolism of lipids.

Fatty acid synthesis takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell and involves the conversion of acetyl-CoA to fatty acids, which then get esterified to form triglycerides. The synthetic pathway utilizes NADPH as a reducing equivalent and does not require any transporters to cross the mitochondrial membrane.

On the other hand, fatty acid degradation (also known as beta-oxidation) occurs mainly in the mitochondria and involves the breakdown of fatty acids to produce acetyl-CoA, which then enters the TCA cycle. The degradation pathway utilizes NAD+ and FAD as electron acceptors and requires the formation of acyl-carnitines to cross the mitochondrial membrane before the breakdown of fatty acids can occur.

Therefore, statement (a) is true as fatty acid synthesis occurs primarily in the cytoplasm, whereas degradation primarily takes place in the mitochondria.

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