Western Governors University (WGU) CHEM3501 C624 Biochemistry Objective Assessment Practice Exam

The process of beta oxidation of fatty acids is primarily stimulated by the presence of fatty acids themselves and by energy needs of the cell. Acetyl-CoA, a product of beta oxidation, signals that there are sufficient acetyl groups available for energy production, but it does not stimulate the process.

In the context of the choices, acetone is a ketone body formed from the breakdown of fats and is associated with the utilization of fatty acids, particularly during periods of fasting or high-fat diets. While acetone itself does not directly stimulate the beta-oxidation pathway, its presence can indicate that fatty acid oxidation is occurring, especially when the body is relying on fat as a primary energy source. However, more accurate stimulators of beta oxidation are related to the presence of free fatty acids and various regulatory factors like the AMP/ATP ratio.

Glycerol is a product of fat metabolism but does not stimulate the beta oxidation pathway directly. Fatty acid synthase is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, which is essentially the opposite of beta oxidation. Therefore, while acetone may play a role in indicating that fatty acids are being metabolized, it is important to focus on the overall regulatory mechanisms that govern fatty acid oxidation and related metabolic states