Fatty acid metabolism

The degradation and synthesis of fatty acids are primary metabolic pathways. As with other pairs of catabolic and anabolic processes, the pathways are formally the reverse of one another, yet they are distinct. In eukaryotic cells, degradation and synthesis of fatty acids occur in separate cellular compartments. The pathways are independently, yet coordinately, regulated. The figure below summarizes the essential features. Note that the molecules entering these pathways and all the intermediates are thioesters.