Learning Strategies in Biochemistry:
Pentose Phosphate Pathway

Revised 2008/05/22

Essential Review:

From organic chemistry, review these concepts, usually found in chapters on aldehydes and ketones:

• Keto-enol tautomerism.
• Oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids.
• The aldol condensation.
• Schiff base chemistry.

Also review dehydration of alcohols to produce alkenes.

Essential Memory Work:

Using the pentose phosphate pathway chart in your text as a starting point, memorize the following:

• Complete structures and names of all intermediates, including their stereochemistry if they are chiral. THIS chart shows all structures.
• Names of all enzymes.
• Points of use of all cofactors (NADP, TPP, and so forth -- check the text concerning involvement of cofactors other than those shown on the chart).

Quiz (at beginning of first class on this subject)

On the blank paper provided, draw a chart of the pentose phosphate pathway, including all the details listed in Essential Memory Work, above. 10 minutes.

Pathway Information Provided on USM Exams

Memorizing pathways is primarily an aid to learning more about them. Questions on exams will be on a higher level than mere memory work. On exams that cover topics in metabolism, your instructor will provide pathways charts of any pathways you need in order to answer exam questions. So there is no need to come to exams prepared to regurgitate pathways. Instead, come prepared to use your experience with pathways -- gained by memory work, reading, and problem solving -- to answer questions, interpret data, and solve problems about them.

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