118k views
0 votes
How many molecules of carbon are fixed in each round of the Calvin cycle?

- 3
- 15
- 1
- 5
- 6

User Zdk
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

0 votes

Final answer:

One molecule of carbon is fixed in each round of the Calvin cycle, which must go through six rounds to produce a six-carbon glucose molecule.

Step-by-step explanation:

Each round of the Calvin cycle fixes one molecule of carbon, as the cycle must be completed three times to produce a single three-carbon GA3P molecule, and six times to produce a six-carbon glucose molecule.

The Calvin cycle incorporates carbon dioxide into the 5-carbon molecule RuBP with the help of the enzyme RuBisCO, leading to a 6-carbon intermediate, which quickly splits into two 3-carbon molecules. In the reduction stage of the cycle, energy from ATP and NADPH is used, and then RuBP is regenerated so the cycle can continue.

User Alexis Abril
by
7.7k points