Question:
Which of the following is the most abundant end product of fatty acid synthesis?
Which of the following is the most abundant end product of fatty acid synthesis?
Show Hint
Fatty acid synthase stops at 16 carbons - which saturated acid is that?
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Oleic acid
- Palmitic acid
- Arachidonic acid
- Glucose
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: De-novo fatty acid synthesis occurs in the cytosol (extramitochondrial system) of liver, kidney, brain, lung, mammary gland, and adipose tissue, using acetyl-CoA as the immediate two-carbon building block.
Step 2: The fatty acid synthase complex elongates the chain two carbons at a time and stops at a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid, releasing palmitate (palmitic acid) as the principal product.
Step 3: Palmitate is therefore the most abundant end product; stearate forms in smaller amounts by further elongation. This makes (b) correct.
Step 4: Oleic acid (c18:1) and arachidonic acid (c20:4) require additional desaturation and elongation downstream and are not the direct synthase product; glucose is not a fatty acid at all, so (a), (c), and (d) are wrong.
Step 2: The fatty acid synthase complex elongates the chain two carbons at a time and stops at a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid, releasing palmitate (palmitic acid) as the principal product.
Step 3: Palmitate is therefore the most abundant end product; stearate forms in smaller amounts by further elongation. This makes (b) correct.
Step 4: Oleic acid (c18:1) and arachidonic acid (c20:4) require additional desaturation and elongation downstream and are not the direct synthase product; glucose is not a fatty acid at all, so (a), (c), and (d) are wrong.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top NEET PG Biochemistry Questions
- Which of the following clotting factors is needed for gamma-glutamyl carboxylase?
- A patient presented with diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia. Which of the following vitamin deficiencies would you suspect in this patient?
- A young boy presents to the OPD with hypoglycemia and muscle cramps, on exertion or while playing. Then he becomes normal after resting for a while. These episodes are recurrent after a period of activity. He has decreased serum lactate and glucose levels. Which of the following diseases is he most likely to be suffering from?
- A family consumes only polished rice. Which of the following combinations of vitamin deficiency and enzymatic defect will be present in this family?
- A chronic alcoholic patient presented to the casualty with confusion, ataxia, and painful eye movements. What could be the vitamin deficiency seen in this patient?
View More Questions
Top NEET PG Lipid metabolism - fatty acid synthesis Questions
Top NEET PG Questions
- A patient hailing from Delhi presents with fever, arthralgia, and extensive petechial rash for 3 days. Lab investigations revealed a hemoglobin of 9 g/ dL, a white blood cell count of 9000 cells/mm3, a platelet count of 20000 cells/mm3, and a prolonged bleeding time. The clotting time was normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Which of the following statements is true about Trichomonas vaginalis?
- A lady from West Rajasthan presented with an ulcer surrounded by erythema on the right leg. Microscopy of the biopsy from the edge of the ulcer showed organisms with dark staining nuclei and kinetoplast. What is the most likely causative agent?
- A child presents with a fever and a rash. Urine examination showed cells with owl's eye appearance. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- Infection with Clonorchis sinensis is associated with an increased risk of__?
View More Questions