Hi, I have a biochemistry question.
Throughout glycolysis and the Kreb's cycle, high energy electrons and protons (hydrogens) are removed and used to reduce coenzymes for ATP production in the electron transport chain.
The thing that is confusing is that even those hydrogens that are covalently bound to oxygen in hydroxyls seem to get extracted for energy production as well. How can a hydrogen that is already bound to an oxygen provide free energy by eventually being transferred to another oxygen?
I know that if you fully oxidize oleic acid (18 carbons, 36 hydrogens) you get approximately 144 ATPs, while if you fully oxidize 3 glucose molecules (also 18 carbons, 36 hydrogens) you only get, at best, about 108 ATPs. So, I see there is less energy in some of those hydrogens of glucose, but I don't see how those from the hydroxyls have any to give?
I hope that makes sense. Thank you.
