This document summarizes fatty acid synthesis. Key points include: - Fatty acid synthesis occurs in the cytoplasm and is initiated by acetyl-CoA carboxylase converting acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA. - A fatty acid synthase complex containing multiple enzymatic domains then catalyzes the steps of fatty acid elongation using malonyl-CoA, culminating in the formation of palmitic acid. - The process is regulated by hormones like insulin and glucagon through effects on the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase.