Fatty acids are super important for giving our bodies the energy we need. This happens through a process called oxidation. Here’s how it works step by step:
Mobilization: When our body needs energy, it takes fat stored in the body called triglycerides. These are broken down into free fatty acids and glycerol.
Transport: Next, these free fatty acids travel through the bloodstream to different parts of the body, mainly to muscle and liver cells.
Activation: Once they reach the cells, the fatty acids get activated. This means they are changed into a form called fatty acyl-CoA. This process uses energy called ATP.
Beta-Oxidation: Now, the fatty acyl-CoA goes into a part of the cell called the mitochondria. Inside, it goes through a process called beta-oxidation. Here, the fatty acid is broken down a little at a time into pieces that are two carbons long. This creates molecules called Acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH2.
Energy Production: The Acetyl-CoA that is produced then enters another cycle called the citric acid cycle. This cycle makes ATP, which is like energy money for our cells.
In short, fatty acid oxidation is a very efficient way to make energy, especially when we're not eating or when we are exercising hard!
Fatty acids are super important for giving our bodies the energy we need. This happens through a process called oxidation. Here’s how it works step by step:
Mobilization: When our body needs energy, it takes fat stored in the body called triglycerides. These are broken down into free fatty acids and glycerol.
Transport: Next, these free fatty acids travel through the bloodstream to different parts of the body, mainly to muscle and liver cells.
Activation: Once they reach the cells, the fatty acids get activated. This means they are changed into a form called fatty acyl-CoA. This process uses energy called ATP.
Beta-Oxidation: Now, the fatty acyl-CoA goes into a part of the cell called the mitochondria. Inside, it goes through a process called beta-oxidation. Here, the fatty acid is broken down a little at a time into pieces that are two carbons long. This creates molecules called Acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH2.
Energy Production: The Acetyl-CoA that is produced then enters another cycle called the citric acid cycle. This cycle makes ATP, which is like energy money for our cells.
In short, fatty acid oxidation is a very efficient way to make energy, especially when we're not eating or when we are exercising hard!