Glycolysis and Pentose Pathway

[Dr. To Be]

Hey!

I just want to verify a concept regarding metabolism. Does glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway occur at the same time when there is surplus of glucose?



Thank you.

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[aldol16]

Think about bigger picture here. Glycolysis always occurs because your cells need energy - that's that. The level of glycolysis will vary (e.g. higher rate of glycolysis in your muscle cells during exercise, etc.) but it will always be occurring. The PPP only occurs when you already have enough flux through the energy-yielding pathways to sustain the cells. Then you can use additional glucose to make that NADPH for lipid biosynthesis, reducing oxidative damage, etc. and nucleotide precursors so that the cell can divide and/or make protein.

 

[Dr. To Be]

Think about bigger picture here. Glycolysis always occurs because your cells need energy - that's that. The level of glycolysis will vary (e.g. higher rate of glycolysis in your muscle cells during exercise, etc.) but it will always be occurring. The PPP only occurs when you already have enough flux through the energy-yielding pathways to sustain the cells. Then you can use additional glucose to make that NADPH for lipid biosynthesis, reducing oxidative damage, etc. and nucleotide precursors so that the cell can divide and/or make protein.

This makes so much sense! Thank you!