MCB 26

Question 1

State the importance of the pentose phosphate pathway

Answer 1

Produces components needed for growth:

Biochemical reducing power in form of NADPH
Ribose sugars, precursors of DNA, RNA, nucleotide coenzymes

Question 2

State the overall equation of the pentose phosphate pathway

Answer 2

This pathway yields ribulose-5-phosphate and 2 NADPH

glucose-6-phosphate + 2NADP+ + H2O –>
ribulose-5-phosphate + 2NADPH + 2H+ + CO2

Question 3

State the importance of NADPH

Answer 3

Biosynthetic reducing power for all organisms

Used in synthesis and detoxification

Fatty acid synthesis
Cholestrol synthesis
Neurotransmitter synthesis
Nucleotide synthesis

Question 4

What are the 2 stages of the pentose phosphate pathway

Answer 4

Oxidative generation of NADPH
Nonoxidative interconversion of sugars