Talk:Beta oxidation

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some more information on the activation energy required in starting off the breakdown of the initial energy would be helpful. I think it takes an ATP or something to start it off, but i dont know for sure.

[edit] ATP produced

How can 1.5 molecules of ATP be produced Beta_oxidation#Energy_yield? Unless I have misunderstood the article, it describes each cycle as producing "14 ATP", broken down into halves of ATP molecules, and as I understand it each FADH₂ carries sufficient electrons to produce 2 molecules of ATP while each NADH molecule carries sufficient electrons to produce 3 molecules of ATP. Thus either my incomplete understanding has led me astray, or the article needs clarifying/correcting. Any ideas?

Thanks, Yazza 21:40, 14 November 2006 (UTC)

This looks to be the result of using non-integer versus integer (classic) P/O ratios. Using non-classic or non-integer values for P/O ratio then per 2 electrons transfered to oxygen from FADH2 yields 1.5 ATP. Classic integer values for P/O ratio would yield 2 ATP. Non-integer P/O values have arisen from studies showing that cytochrome c oxidase pumps only 2 protons per 2 electron transfer whereas the classic, integer P/O ratio assumed 4 protons pumped.

Bahrens 23:55, 16 December 2006 (UTC)