Metabolic Stores Flashcards
1
Q
what are the main ketone bodies that fatty acids are broken down into?
A
- acetoacetate
- 3-hydroxybutyrate
- acetone
2
Q
why are ketone bodies made?
A
because acetyl-CoA fromed in breakdown of fatty acids cannot enter citric acid cycle since oxaloacetate becomes depleted because liver converts to pyruvate to produce glucose (gluconeogenesis)
3
Q
what compound is converted to urea and why?
A
NH4+ as it is very toxic and urea is far less toxic
4
Q
why can the brain not utilise fatty acids as fuel?
A
the blood-brain barrier protects the brain from potentially dangerous chemicals and so prevents fatty acids from getting into brain tissue
