beta-oxidation

American

[bey-tuh-ok-si-dey-shuhn, bee-] / ˈbeɪ təˌɒk sɪˈdeɪ ʃən, ˈbi- /

noun

Biochemistry.

a process by which fatty acids are degraded, involving oxidation of the beta carbons and removal of successive two-carbon fragments from the fatty acid.

Etymology

Origin of beta-oxidation

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If calories are plentiful and there are no periods of starvation, beta-oxidation enzymes are weak and it becomes difficult to mobilize the fat.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023