Final answer:
The reactants of the dark reactions or Calvin cycle are carbon dioxide, ATP, and NADPH. The products of the Calvin cycle are glucose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reactants and products of the dark reactions or Calvin cycle in photosynthesis can be summarized as follows:
- Reactants: Carbon dioxide (CO2), ATP, NADPH
- Products: Glucose (C6H12O6)
In the Calvin cycle, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is fixed into a five-carbon molecule called RuBP (ribulose bisphosphate) with the help of the enzyme RuBisCO. The ATP and NADPH produced during the light-dependent reactions provide the energy and reducing power needed for this carbon fixation process. Through a series of chemical reactions, glucose is ultimately produced as the final product of the Calvin cycle.