Why Do Most Fatty Acids Contain an Even Number of Carbon

Question

Why do most fatty acids contain an even number of carbon atoms?
A) The priming reaction involves condensation of the acetyl-CoA with ACP.
B) A C3-intermediate (malonyl-CoA) is carboxylated during chain elongation to yield an even number of carbons.
C) Fatty acid biosynthesis incorporates succinyl-CoA.
D) Fatty acids do not have an even number of carbons.
E) It is now easier to add double bonds.

Accepted Answer

Fatty acid biosynthesis typically involves the condensation of two-carbon units from acetyl-CoA, which leads to the formation of fatty acids with an even number of carbon atoms.