Beta (β)-oxidation

Definition

Beta (β)-oxidation is the metabolic process by which fatty acid molecules are broken down in the mitochondria and peroxisomes of cells to generate acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH₂. These products are then used to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell, through further metabolic pathways.

Related terms

Acetyl: CoA - A molecule that serves as a key intermediate in metabolism, linking fat metabolism with carbohydrate metabolism and the citric acid cycle.

Mitochondria: Known as the powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria are organelles that generate most of the cell's supply of ATP through aerobic respiration.

Fatty acid oxidation: The metabolic process involving enzymatic breakdown of fatty acids to ultimately produce energy in the form of ATP