Ketone bodies are normally synthesized from:

  # Ketone bodies are normally synthesized from:

A. Acetyl coA

B. Glucose

C. Glycerol

D. Acetone

The correct answer is: A. Acetyl coA.

Acetoacetic acid, O-hydroxybutyric acid and acetone are collectively called ketone bodies or acetone bodies, and the process of their formation is known as ketogenesis. Only the acetoacetic acid and acetone are the true ketones, while /3-hydroxybutyrate does not possess a keto group. The main site of ketogenesis is the liver. They are major fuel source of brain during prolonged starvation.

 Hydroxybutyryl-CoA and aceto acetyl-CoA are normally produced in penultimate step of beta oxidation. Aceto aceyl-CoA may also be formed from two molecules of acetyl-CoA. The synthesis of ketone bodies occur in liver in the mitochondrial matrix. Acetyl CoA, formed by oxidation of fatty acids, pyruvate and some other amino acids are the precursors for ketone bodies. HMG-CoA synthase is the regulatory enzyme in synthesis of ketone bodies.