Ribose-5-phosphate is a sugar phosphate that plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism. It is an intermediate in the pentose phosphate pathway, a metabolic pathway that generates NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate for nucleotide synthesis. This compound is essential for the production of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. In addition to its role in nucleotide synthesis, ribose-5-phosphate is involved in the synthesis of amino acids and other important biomolecules. It helps maintain the balance of carbohydrates and nucleotides in cells, supporting various biochemical processes necessary for life.