What is the major purpose of the pentose phosphate pathway? What cofactor (coenzyme) is used?

Question

Accepted Answer

All right. Hello everyone. So this question is asking us what are the two main products of the pentose phosphate pathway that give their importance. So here we have four different entry choices labeled A through D that propose different possible products as well as different possible functions to explain their imports. Now, for a question like this, it's important to recognize that the pentose phosphate pathway or P three as I like to call it is a pathway of metabolism that is parallel to glycolysis. Now, there are two main functions of the pentose phosphate pathway and those functions are mainly to produce their products because that's how important they are to the C. Now those products are N ad ph as well as ribose five phosphate. Now, riopy phosphate as the name implies is important to nucleic acid synthesis because it is the precursor to the formation of ribonucleotide and deoxyribonucleotide. So essentially rivals five phosphate is an important, is an important precursor, excuse me to create DNA and RN A. Now rivals five phosphate is also a precursor to the synthesis of co enzymes that are important for metabolic function. Now N A ph on the other hand has a variety of different functions and we are of course going to discuss a few of them. So those essentially involve a few different things. So first, primarily N AD P is especially important in red blood cells in its attempt to defend itself from reactive oxygen species. Now, reactive oxygen species refer to oxygen radicals that are capable of reacting with lipids of the membrane bilayer and ultimately destroying the cell. Now, the reason why this is so important for red blood cells, in particular is because red blood cells or erythrocytes do not contain mitochondria, pentose phosphate pathway is completed in the cytoplasm. So really red blood cells rely heavily on the production of N AD PH via pentose phosphate to protect its lipid bilayer from destruction and maintaining the integrity of the cell. Now, N AD PH isn't just limited to erythrocytes but using red blood cells as an example, really illustrates its importance in the cell and in metabolism as a whole. In addition to this, though N AD P is also an important cofactor in detoxification. So essentially N AD PH is often used by Cytochrome P. 450 enzymes that are involved in the processing of drugs and other substances that are taken in to the body. So, one more function of an NDP in particular before we talk about the correct answer choice is that of reductive biosynthesis. Now, what does that mean? Essentially NPH provides the reducing power necessary for the biosynthesis of compounds like fatty acids, cholesterol and nucleotides. So from there, we've arrived at our final answer. Our final answer is going to be option B in the multiple choice. The products are N ad ph was which is important for reductive biosynthesis, antioxidant defense and detoxification. And the other is ribose five phosphate, which is essential for nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis as well as the formation of various co enzymes. And so, with that being said, thank you so very much for watching. And I hope you found this helpful.

What is the major purpose of the pentose phosphate pathway? What cofactor (coenzyme) is used?

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Key Concepts

Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP)

NADPH

Ribose-5-Phosphate