Final answer:
In photosynthesis, NADPH is used in the Calvin cycle for the reduction of 3-phosphoglycerate (3PG) to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P), making E) the reduction of 3-phosphoglycerate (3PG) the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
In photosynthesis, NADPH is utilized in the Calvin cycle, specifically during the reduction phase. The role of NADPH is crucial in the process of converting 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) into glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P). This transformation is a reduction reaction, where 3-PGA gains electrons and hydrogens, facilitated by the energy and hydrogen atom from NADPH, turning NADPH into its oxidized form, NADP+.
To elaborate, six molecules of 3-PGA are reduced to six molecules of G3P using the energy and reducing power of six molecules of NADPH, alongside ATP. In this process, NADPH contributes its electrons and becomes oxidized, while ATP is converted to ADP and inorganic phosphate, releasing energy. After the reduction reaction, the resulting ADP and NADP+ return to the light-dependent reactions to be recharged.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is E) the reduction of 3-phosphoglycerate (3PG).