So let's suppose our fatty acid, which is fully saturated and contains an even number of carbon atoms, actually makes its way into the matrix of the mitochondria of the target cell. What happens within the matrix? Well, within the matrix, we basically have a series of four reactions that basically take place. And these reactions ultimately shorten that carbon chain of the fatty acid by two, because they release an acetyl coenzyme a molecule. And this process will basically take place over and over and over until the entire fatty acid is actually broken down into these acetyl coenzyme A molecules. And these acetyl coenzyme A molecules can then be fed into the citric acid cycle, which also takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria.