Final answer:
The Calvin cycle utilizes ATP and NADPH to transform CO2 into glucose, with most of the intermediate molecules being recycled to regenerate RuBP, enabling continuous glucose production.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Calvin Cycle in Photosynthesis
The Calvin cycle is the second stage of photosynthesis involving the production of glucose from carbon dioxide. It uses the chemical energy stored in ATP and NADPH, which were produced during the light-dependent reactions. The Calvin cycle has three main stages: carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration of ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP).
In the initial stage, carbon dioxide is fixed into a stable intermediate. Then, ATP and NADPH provide energy to reduce this fixed carbon and transform it into the sugar glucose. Finally, during the regeneration stage, most of the molecules created are used to regenerate RuBP, which is necessary for the cycle to continue.
Specifically, every three turns of the Calvin cycle produce six molecules of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P). Out of these, five are used to regenerate RuBP, and only one G3P molecule is exported to the cytoplasm to contribute to the formation of glucose and other compounds needed by the plant. This efficient recycling of molecules within the Calvin cycle enables plants to continuously synthesize glucose as long as they have the necessary inputs from the light-dependent reactions and from the environment in the form of CO2.