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What are the differences between fatty acid synthesis and beta-oxidation?
Posted November 3, 2022

Answer
Basis of differentiationFatty acid synthesisBeta-oxidation
Definition Is the creation of fatty acids from the precursor molecule acetyl-CoA and NADPH molecules through a series of anabolic reactions by enzymes.Is the process of breaking down fatty acid molecules into acetyl-CoA and NADH through a series of catabolic reactions by enzymes.
Type of reactionIs an anabolic reaction Is a catabolic reaction 
Enzymes involvedIs catalyzed by the enzyme fatty acid synthase, which is a multi-enzyme complexIs catalyzed by different enzymes at different stages of the oxidation process
OccurrenceOccurs in the cytoplasm of both prokaryotes and eukaryotesOccurs in the cytoplasm of prokaryotes and in mitochondria of eukaryotes
ATP ProductionDoes not produce ATPProduces high-energy molecule ATP
Initiation of the processInitiates with ACP (acyl group carrier) Initiates with coenzyme A (CoA)
Reductant usedUses NADPH as the reductantUses NADH and FADH as the reductants.
Relationship with Energy Uses up energy  Releases energy