1. The pentose phosphate pathway

Question 1

what is the point of the PPP

Answer 1

converts glucose-6-P to 5C-ribose + NADPH

Question 2

what substrates are required for the PPP

Answer 2

1. glucose-6-P

2. NADP+ (x2)

Question 3

what does the PPP produce and why are these important

Answer 3

1. ribose-5-P (synthesis of nucleotides, DNA and RNA)
2. NADPH (x2) (reducing power for fatty acid and steroid biosynthesis, detoxification reactions and maintenance of glutathione reduction: GSSH to GSH)

Question 4

what is the rate limiting enzyme in the PPP

Answer 4

glucose-6-P dehydrogenase