Fatty acid oxidation is the process your body uses to break down and use fatty acids for energy, primarily occurring within the mitochondria of your cells. The process involves the breakdown of a fatty acid into smaller molecules, ultimately generating energy for the body.
The Process of Fatty Acid Oxidation
Here’s a simplified breakdown of how fatty acid oxidation happens:
- Location: Fatty acid oxidation primarily takes place in the mitochondria of cells.
- Breakdown into Acetyl CoA: The fatty acid is broken down into two molecules of acetyl coenzyme A (CoA). This acetyl CoA then enters the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) to produce ATP (energy).
In summary, fatty acid oxidation is the metabolic pathway by which fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondria to produce energy in the form of ATP, with acetyl CoA as a key intermediate.
