Pentose Phosphate Pathway

30 vocabulary flashcards based on the pentose phosphate pathway and related biochemical concepts.

Pentose Phosphate Pathway

A metabolic pathway that generates NADPH and five-carbon sugars from glucose 6-phosphate.

NADPH

A reducing agent produced in the oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway, used in various biosynthetic processes.

Glucose 6-phosphate

A substrate for the pentose phosphate pathway that can be metabolized to form NADPH and ribose 5-phosphate.

Oxidative Phase

The first stage of the pentose phosphate pathway that generates NADPH through the oxidation of glucose 6-phosphate.

Nonoxidative Phase

The second stage of the pentose phosphate pathway that interconverts phosphorylated sugars.

Glucose 6-phosphate Dehydrogenase

An enzyme that catalyzes the first step in the oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway.

Ribulose 5-phosphate

An intermediate in the pentose phosphate pathway that is a precursor for ribose 5-phosphate.

Transketolase

An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of two-carbon units between sugars in the nonoxidative phase.

Transaldolase

An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of three-carbon units between sugars in the nonoxidative phase.

Epimers

Isomers that differ at only one of multiple asymmetric carbon atoms.

Glutathione

A tripeptide that acts as an antioxidant, required for protection against oxidative stress.

Oxidative Stress

A condition resulting from excessive reactive oxygen species that can damage cells.

6-Phosphogluconate

A six-carbon intermediate formed in the oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway.

Reduced Glutathione (GSH)

The active form of glutathione that reduces reactive oxygen species.

GSSG

Oxidized form of glutathione; two glutathione molecules linked by a disulfide bond.

Lactonase

An enzyme that hydrolyzes lactones, such as 6-phosphoglucono-d-lactone to 6-phosphogluconate.

Biosynthetic Reducing Power

The ability to supply reducing equivalents for biosynthetic reactions, primarily derived from NADPH.

Biochemical Reducing Power

The capacity to donate electrons or reduce other molecules, generated by pathways like the pentose phosphate pathway.

Fatty Acid Biosynthesis

A metabolic pathway that generates fatty acids, requiring NADPH as a reducing agent.

Cholesterol Biosynthesis

A biochemical process reliant on NADPH for reducing reactions involved in cholesterol production.

Nucleotide Biosynthesis

The process of synthesizing nucleotides, which requires ribose 5-phosphate as a component.

Cytoplasm

The fluid inside cells where the pentose phosphate pathway takes place.

Metabolic Pathway

A series of chemical reactions occurring within a cell.

Carbohydrate Interconversion

The process of converting between different sugar forms, facilitated by the nonoxidative phase.

Pyruvate

A key intermediate in various metabolic pathways, including glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway.

Fatty Acid and Cholesterol Synthesis

Processes that rely heavily on NADPH generated by the pentose phosphate pathway.

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GAP)

A three-carbon sugar produced in glycolysis and utilized in transketolase reactions.

Ribose 5-phosphate

A five-carbon sugar necessary for RNA and DNA synthesis produced in the pentose phosphate pathway.

Detoxification

The metabolic process of removing or neutralizing toxins, facilitated by NADPH.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that can damage cell structures.

Hemolysis

The destruction of red blood cells; can be exacerbated by deficiencies in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Favism

A condition where consumption of fava beans leads to hemolytic anemia in individuals with glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Clinical Insight

Understanding how biochemical pathways inform medical conditions and treatments.

Pyruvate Kinase

An enzyme that catalyzes the final step of glycolysis, generating ATP.