pentose phosphate pathway

Question 1

when does the decarboxylation reaction take place in pentose phosphate pathway

Answer 1

when converting 6-phosphogluconate –> ribulose 5-phosphate.

Question 2

Where are the enzymes for pentose pathway located?? what about the distribution

Answer 2

all of them are found in the cytosol

Question 3

which steps are irreversible in pentose phosphate pathway in the oxidative phase? what about the non-oxidative phase?

Answer 3

1,3 involving the dehydrogenases

none, all of them are reversible