Final answer:
The statement is true; dark reactions, more accurately called the Calvin cycle or light-independent reactions, can occur both in the presence or absence of light, as they do not require photons but use energy from ATP and NADPH.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: Dark reactions can occur in the presence or absence of light. The statement is true. These reactions are more accurately referred to as the Calvin cycle or light-independent reactions. Although the term 'dark reactions' might suggest that these processes only occur in the absence of light, this is misleading. The Calvin cycle indeed proceeds regardless of light conditions, and it's termed 'light-independent' because it does not require photons to proceed. Instead, it utilizes ATP and NADPH produced by the light-dependent reactions to fix carbon into organic sugars. These essential reactions are part of photosynthesis, where CO2 enters photosynthetic tissues through stomata and contributes to the production of carbohydrates that fuel plant growth.