biochemistry Why is the Pentose Phosphate Pathway so active in erythrocytes? Biology Stack Exchange Glucose metabolism begins with its transport into cells via GLUT transporters, where it is phosphorylated to glucose 6 phosphate (Glucose 6 P). This molecule can enter various pathways, including the pentose phosphate pathway or hexosamine biosynthesis. Quantitative modeling of pentose phosphate pathway response to oxidative stress reveals a cooperative regulatory strategy: iScience The Electron Transport Chain and Pentose Phosphate Pathway biochemistry