Fatty acid oxidation

Definition

Fatty acid oxidation is the metabolic process where fatty acids are broken down to produce energy. This occurs in the mitochondria of cells, primarily in the liver and muscle tissues.

Related terms

Beta: Oxidation - The catabolic process by which fatty acid molecules are broken down in the mitochondria to generate acetyl-CoA, NADH, and FADH2.

Acetyl: CoA - A molecule that plays a key role in metabolism, serving as a substrate for the citric acid cycle to produce energy.

Ketogenesis: A metabolic pathway that produces ketone bodies from fatty acids, serving as an alternative energy source during prolonged fasting or low carbohydrate intake