Contrary to legend, camels do not store water in their humps, which actually consist of large fat deposits. How can these fat deposits serve as a source of water? Calculate the amount of water (in liters) that a camel can produce from 1.0 kg of fat. Assume for simplicity that the fat consists entirely of tripalmitoylglycerol.

A) Oxidation of fats releases metabolic water

B) L of water per kg of tripalmitoylglycerol

Explanation:

A)During the oxidation of organic substances (fats) releases metabolic water along with release of energy

For example –  

 Oxidation of one mole of Palmitic acid (C16H32O7) acid releases 146 mole of H2O. In Tripalmitoylglycerol (fat C51H98O6) , there are 3 palmitic acid residues connected to glycerol molecule via ester bonds.

Oxidation of Palmitoyl CoA:

almitoyl-CoA + 23O2 + 108Pi + 108 ADP => 88nCoA + 108 ATP + 16CO2 + 23 H2O

B)

Molecular weight of tripalmitate g/mol

Number of moles in one Kg of fat  

mole

Mass of water

( moles of water and weight of water grams)

grams

Density of water g/mL

Volume of water L