Calvin Cycle Flashcard

Front

What is the Calvin Cycle?

Back

The Calvin Cycle is a series of biochemical reactions that take place in the stroma of chloroplasts in photosynthetic organisms, where carbon dioxide is converted into glucose using ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions.

Front

What is the primary function of the Calvin Cycle?

Back

The primary function of the Calvin Cycle is to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and other compounds, providing energy for the plant.

Front

What is the role of RuBisCO in the Calvin Cycle?

Back

RuBisCO (Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) is an enzyme that catalyzes the first step of the Calvin Cycle, fixing carbon dioxide to ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) to form 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA).

Front

What are the three main phases of the Calvin Cycle?

Back

The three main phases of the Calvin Cycle are carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration of ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP).

Front

What is produced during the reduction phase of the Calvin Cycle?

Back

During the reduction phase of the Calvin Cycle, ATP and NADPH are used to convert 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P), a three-carbon sugar.

Front

How many molecules of G3P are produced for every three molecules of CO2 that enter the Calvin Cycle?

Back

For every three molecules of CO2 that enter the Calvin Cycle, one molecule of G3P is produced.

Front

What happens to the G3P produced in the Calvin Cycle?

Back

The G3P produced in the Calvin Cycle can be used to form glucose and other carbohydrates, or it can be converted into other organic compounds.

Front

What is the significance of glucose in plants?

Back

Glucose serves as an energy source for plants and is a building block for other carbohydrates, such as starch and cellulose.

Front

What is the relationship between the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin Cycle?

Back

The light-dependent reactions capture solar energy to produce ATP and NADPH, which are then used in the Calvin Cycle to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.

Front

What is the role of ATP in the Calvin Cycle?

Back

ATP provides the energy required for the conversion of 3-PGA to G3P during the reduction phase of the Calvin Cycle.