Final answer:
A total of 24 electrons are required in non-cyclic photophosphorylation to generate one glucose molecule, as six turns of the Calvin cycle use 12 NADPH molecules, each contributing two electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
Non-cyclic Photophosphorylation and Glucose Synthesis
In non-cyclic photophosphorylation, a total of 24 electrons are required to generate one glucose molecule. This is because it takes six turns of the Calvin cycle to fix six carbon atoms from CO2, each turn requiring energy from two NADPH molecules (and two electrons per NADPH). Since 12 NADPH molecules are used for the six cycles needed to produce one glucose molecule, and each NADPH contributes two electrons, the total comes to 24 electrons. The process of photosynthesis and the subsequent use of glucose to create ATP through cellular respiration are essential to the metabolic functions of cells, allowing for the conversion of solar energy into a useable chemical form.
The complexity of these metabolic pathways underscores the efficiency of cellular processes in harnessing energy from various sources. The energy investment and the biochemical conversion of CO2 to glucose showcases the fundamental nature of photosynthesis in sustaining life on Earth.