#6: Light Independent Reactions

Question 1

Calvin Cycle
(Dark Reactions)
- location
- 3 stages

Answer 1

Occurs in stroma

3 Stages:

1. Carbon fixation
2. Reduction Reactions
3. RuBP Regeneration

Question 2

1. Carbon Fixation

Answer 2

Three CO​2​ are used to convert three RuBP (a 5-carbon molecule) into three 6-carbon molecules

Enzyme RuBisCo catalyzes the reaction

Three 6-carbon molecules immediately break down with water and form six 3-PGA

Question 3

2. Reduction Reactions

Answer 3

The six 3-PGA are phosphorylated by six ATP (from light reactions) to make six 1,3-PGA

The six 1,3-PGA are reduced by six NADPH (from light reactions) to make six G3P

One of the G3P will be used to form glucose

The other five G3P will move on to the final stage

Question 4

3. RuBP Regeneration

Answer 4

Five G3P will be phosphorylated by three ATP and two H​2O​ to make three RuBP so that the cycle may continue

Question 5

RuBisCo enzyme

Answer 5

Enzyme which fixes carbon from air

Starts the whole process by bringing RuBP and CO2 together