It requires one electron (e-)
and one hydrogen ion (H+) to convert NADP+ into NADPH.
This is the reaction of NADP+ reduction (NADPH is the reduced form of NADP which is the oxidized form). NADPH is a reducing agent, which means it reduces and gains electrons.
NADPH plays an important role in anabolic reactions (metabolic reactions that build up complex molecules from simpler ones), that require energy. For example, the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol require presence of NADPH. NADPH is crucial in carbohydrate synthesis occurring in plants where is produced from NAPD+ molecule during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. NADPH in other living organisms that are not photosynthetic, is a product of pentose phosphate pathway, which is mainly an anabolic pathway.
