Biology aqa a level

I’m doing some ppq on pmt on respiration and something about fatty acids has come up twice. What is the link between fatty acids and respiration?

Reply 1

macpatgh-Sheldon

Original post by Arii256

I’m doing some ppq on pmt on respiration and something about fatty acids has come up twice. What is the link between fatty acids and respiration?

Hi there!
Respiration is the process by which food material is broken down by reaction with oxygen and resulting in the production of H2O and CO2 plus energy in the form of ATP [not to be confused with breathing, which is strictly speaking called ventilation].

The usual "food" or substrate for respiration is glucose [C6H12O6]; however, under certain conditions, fatty acids may be used to provide energy through respiration; this can happen during relative deficiency of carbohydrates e.g. when the glycogen stores in liver and muscle are depleted, or in protracted low-intensity exercise.

It is worth knowing that [despite the common belief that fats are not good for you], the almost exclusive source of energy for the heart is in the form of fatty acids [glucose in the case of the brain].

If you are interested in finding out about the detailed biochemistry of the "burning" of fatty acids, you know where to find Sheldon [ :lol: