9. In a laboratory experiment, two groups of rats are fed two different fatty acids as their sole source of carbon for a month. The first group gets heptanoic acid (7:0), and the second gets octanoic acid (8:0). After the experiment, a striking difference is seen between the two groups. Those in the first group are healthy and have gained weight, whereas those in the second group are weak and have lost weight as a result of losing muscle mass. What is the biochemical basis for this difference

Beta oxidation of the odd chain heptanoic acid will produce propionyl CoA, which can be converted in several steps to oxaloacetate. Oxaloacetate is the starting material for the process of gluconeogenesis (producing glucose from noncarbohydrate precursors). This gives extra glucose to the first group, so they will be healthier and gain weight. Beta oxidation of the even chain will entirely be oxidized to acetyl Co-A (one of the precursors of the TCA cycle). This will lead to a large excess of ketone bodies instead of glucose for energy, which will lead to the second group being weak and losing weight.

Explanation:

The difference is seen in having an odd chain and an even chain of fatty acids and how they are broken down and used in the body.

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