Question

Which of the following is most abundant end product of fatty acid synthesis -

• A. Oleic acid
• B. Palmitic acid
• C. Arachidonic acid
• D. Glucose

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Fatty acid synthesis is a crucial metabolic process in which simple molecules are converted into fatty acids. This process predominantly occurs in the cytoplasm of cells, where enzymes like fatty acid synthase play a significant role in catalyzing the reactions involved.

During fatty acid synthesis, acetyl-CoA serves as the primary substrate. The process involves multiple reaction cycles, each adding a two-carbon acetyl group to the growing fatty acid chain until a certain length is reached. The most abundant end product of this entire pathway is palmitic acid (C₁₆H₃₂O₂), which is a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid.

Palmitic acid is often considered the default end product because:

• It is synthesized efficiently by the fatty acid synthase complex before any further elongation or desaturation processes take place.
• The enzymes involved are honed to release palmitic acid specifically under normal cellular conditions, making it prevalent in many organisms.
• In biological systems, the saturation and carbon length typical of palmitic acid provide structural and functional roles essential for cell membranes and signaling molecules.

Alternative fatty acids like oleic acid (monounsaturated), arachidonic acid (polyunsaturated), or glucose are products of further modification and metabolism, not direct products of the basic fatty acid synthesis cycle.

Therefore, when considering the primary end product of fatty acid synthesis, palmitic acid is recognized as the most abundant.

Correct Answer: Palmitic acid