During beta oxidation of fatty acids, which reaction occurs after the production of NADH?

During beta oxidation of fatty acids, the production of NADH occurs during the first oxidative step in the metabolic process. Following this step, a dehydration reaction occurs. This reaction involves the removal of a water molecule, leading to the formation of a double bond between the carbon atoms of the fatty acid.

The metabolism begins with the oxidation of the fatty acid to form FADH2 and NADH. After these steps, a hydration reaction takes place, where the carbon-carbon double bond introduced in the dehydration step is converted into an alcohol group, leading to the formation of a hydroxyl group on the fatty acyl chain.

While the production of NADH is an important milestone during beta oxidation, the correct sequence of reactions involves the dehydration first, followed by hydration. Thus, after the production of NADH, the specific reaction that follows is the dehydration reaction, not an oxidation reaction. Understanding the order of these reactions clarifies how the fatty acid is progressively broken down through beta oxidation.