Given that, in our bodies, when we metabolize molecules to derive energy from them, we are oxidizing these molecules, why is it that we get more energy from a gram of fat (essentially a hydrocarbon) than we get from a gram of sugar

Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
10th Edition
ISBN:9781337399074
Author:John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David Treichel
Publisher:John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David Treichel
Chapter23: Carbon: Not Just Another Element
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 119SCQ
icon
Related questions
Question

 Given that, in our bodies, when we metabolize molecules to derive energy from them, we are oxidizing these molecules, why is it that we get more energy from a gram of fat (essentially a hydrocarbon) than we get from a gram of sugar (a polyhydroxy aldehyde)?

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Thermodynamics
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781337399074
Author:
John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David Treichel
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781133949640
Author:
John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David Treichel
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry In Focus
Chemistry In Focus
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781337399692
Author:
Tro, Nivaldo J.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning,
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781133611097
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach
Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079243
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning