Here is what the structures would look like:
1) COH-COH-COH-COH-COH-aldehyde
2) C-C-C-C-C-C-carboxylic acid
(Sorry I didn't know how else to write them out) Please explain? Thank you!!
Joe
Favorite Answer
is #2 suppose to be CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-COOH... If it is, then thats your answer.
The reasoning behind it lies within your question... "if oxidized completely, would yield the most energy for a cell..."
The reasoning behind it (very vague reason), CH3 and CH2 groups are more reduced or less oxidized than the COH groups. The more reduced the hydrocarbon chain, the more energy it stores. As a hydrocarbon is oxidized, energy is given off. A more detailed answer would involve the Gibbs free energy change of C-H bonds breaking and C-O bonds forming.
In living cells, fatty acids provide a great deal energy (via beta-oxidation). You can google beta-oxidation of fatty acids for more info about that.