Pentose Phosphate Pathway Reactions in Photosynthesizing Cells Pentose Phosphate Pathway made simple. This pathway has two major jobs: Generate NADPH Produce ribose 5 phosphate NADPH protects cells from oxidative stress and supports fatty acid, cholesterol, steroid, nitric oxide, and respiratory burst Frontiers The Role of the Pentose Phosphate Pathway in Diabetes and Cancer Enzymes of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway as targets of oxidants: Role of redox reactions on the carbohydrate catabolism ScienceDirect The Pentose Phosphate Pathway Flashcards Quizlet