The pentose phosphate pathway also called as the phosphogluconate pathway and the hexose monophosphate shunt is a procedure which gives pentoses 5-carbon sugars and NADPH. There are two distinct stages in the pathway. The first is the oxidative phase, in that NADPH is generated and the second is the non-oxidative synthesis of 5-carbon sugars. This pathway is an option to glycolysis. Although it does contain oxidation of glucose, its major role is anabolic rather than catabolic. For most organisms, it will takes place in the cytosol and in plants, most steps take place in plastids.