Hemolytic anemia is associated with the pentose phosphate pathway because:
A) a deficiency of this pathway leads to a lack of NADPH in red blood cells
B) NADPH is required to reduce glutathione
C) Red blood cells have minimal resources for maintaining an oxidative balance
D) all of these

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pentose phosphate pathway is crucial for red blood cells because it generates NADPH, which is essential for maintaining the reduced form of glutathione. Glutathione, in turn, helps protect red blood cells from oxidative damage. Since red blood cells lack mitochondria and thus have limited means of producing ATP and managing oxidative stress, the pentose phosphate pathway's role in producing NADPH is vital for their survival and function.

Hemolytic Anemia Is Associated with the Pentose Phosphate Pathway Because