Final answer:
The breakdown of fatty acids to yield acetyl-CoA is known as beta-oxidation, a process that occurs in the cytoplasm and mitochondria and contributes to ATP production through the Krebs cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The breakdown of fatty acids to yield acetyl-CoA is called beta-oxidation. This process involves the conversion of fatty acids into fatty acyl CoA molecules in the cytoplasm. Then, through the transport facilitated by carnitine across the mitochondrial membrane, they are further broken down in the mitochondrial matrix to produce acetyl-CoA. This acetyl-CoA can enter the Krebs cycle to eventually produce ATP, which is used as energy by cells. In contrast, lipolysis refers to the breakdown of triglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids, ketogenesis deals with the production of ketone bodies from acetyl-CoA, and glycolysis is the process by which glucose is broken down to produce energy.