When your cells use fat for energy, the fatty acids are broken up into molecules of acetyl coa. predict how many atp can be made from one molecule of acetyl coa if oxygen is present. show your work.

12 molecules of ATP can be made from one molecule of acetyl CoA.

Explanation:

If one molecule of acetyl CoA enter TCA cycle then it result in the formation of 3 molecules of NADH,1 molecule of FADH2 and 1 molecule of GTP that is equivalent to 1 molecule of ATP.

                        Now the reducing equivalent such as NADH and FADH2 enters electron transport chain and get oxidized to regenerate NAD+ and FAD along with ATP. 1 molecule of NADH produces 3 molecules of ATP whereas 1 molecule of FADH2 produces 2 molecules of ATP.

               So that net gain of ATP is given below

3 molecules of NADH = 9 molecules of ATP

1 molecule of FADH2 =2 molecules of ATP

1 molecule of GTP = 1 molecule of ATP

As a result total 12 molecules of ATP is by the oxidation of 1 Acetyl CoA  by TCA cycle .