Question

Describe the three stages of the Calvin cycle. Which stage utilizes the ATP and NADPH from the light dependent reactions?

Answer 1

The Calvin cycle (also known as the Benson-Calvin cycle) is the set of chemical reactions that take place in chloroplasts during photosynthesis. The cycle is light-independent because it takes place after the energy has been captured from sunlight. The Calvin cycle has three stages. In stage 1, the enzyme RuBisCO incorporates carbon dioxide into an organic molecule. In stage 2, the organic molecule is reduced. In stage 3, RuBP, the molecule that starts the cycle, is regenerated so that the cycle can continue. Stage 2 utilises ATP for incorporation into PGA and NADPH+ is reduced into NADP+ to form G-3-P.