The net equation for the oxidative reactions of the pentose phosphate pathway is glucose − 6 − phosphate + 2 NADP + + H 2 O ⟶ ribulose − 5 − phosphate + 2 NADPH + CO 2 + 2 H + Select true statements about the pentose phosphate pathway. Glucose is a precursor of the pentose phosphate pathway. Carbon atoms from the pentose sugar products may enter the glycolytic pathway. Pentose phosphate pathway activity is high in rapidly dividing cells. Glucose‑6‑phosphate is reduced to ribulose‑5‑phosphate in this series of reactions.