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Fatty Acid Metabolism

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Molecular Life Sciences

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Synopsis

Fatty acids are extremely efficient at storing energy and are used by many organisms for metabolic reactions. In this review of fatty acid metabolism, fat molecules will be followed from dietary intake and digestion, through storage and mobilization, oxidation, and finally ketone body formation. The regulation of each of these processes will also be discussed. Finally, genetic abnormalities and disorders of fatty acid oxidation will be examined. Most of the concepts in this entry will focus on the human metabolism of fatty acids. However, other species will be discussed when of relevance.

Introduction

Living cells require a constant input of energy for metabolic functions and to maintain homeostasis. For most non-photosynthetic organisms, this energy is acquired from the oxidation of various food sources such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Energy is derived from the breakdown of individual subunits of these substances into acetyl-CoA and the subsequent cycling of this...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    Margaret A. Park & Charles Chalfant

  2. Research Career Scientist, Research and Development, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC, Richmond, VA, USA

    Charles Chalfant

Authors
  1. Margaret A. Park
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  2. Charles Chalfant
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Margaret A. Park .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Robert D. Wells

  2. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA

    Judith S. Bond

  3. University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA

    Judith Klinman

  4. Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Bettie Sue Siler Masters

  5. Dept of Chemistry, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA

    Ellis Bell

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Park, M.A., Chalfant, C. (2021). Fatty Acid Metabolism. In: Wells, R.D., Bond, J.S., Klinman, J., Masters, B.S.S., Bell, E. (eds) Molecular Life Sciences. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6436-5_613-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6436-5_613-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6436-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6436-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

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