Oxidation of fatty acids with a methyl group at the 3-position, such as Phytanic acid, starts with ____.

Question

State whether the following statements are True or False. In case a statement is false, write the corrected statement.
(1) Dietary recommendations are given by CSIR.
(2) According to WHO, overweight is a BMI greater than or equal to 25.
(3) IPM is the food safety management system to determine significant hazards pertaining to specific products & processes.
(4) Diastolic pressure is the peak pressure in the arteries.
(5) Pesticides on fruits and vegetables are the examples of biological hazards.
(6) Type II diabetes is an autoimmune disease.
(7) Hygiene is the most important factor in order to prevent food illnesses.

Answer 1

Step 1: Beta oxidation is the default route for breaking down straight chain fatty acids, cutting off two carbon acetyl units in each cycle by oxidizing the beta carbon.

Phytanic acid carries a methyl group right at the third carbon, the same beta carbon that beta oxidation enzymes need to act on, so the branch physically blocks the usual reaction from starting.

The cell's workaround is alpha oxidation, which shortens the chain by one carbon at the alpha position first, shifting the branch away from beta position so that beta oxidation can then continue normally. Answer: alpha oxidation.

Oxidation of fatty acids with a methyl group at the 3-position, such as Phytanic acid, starts with ____.

Show Hint

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

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