Question

Q29). The function of the Calvin Cycle is...

A) to convert sunlight energy, CO2, and H2O into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P).

B) to convert CO2, NADPH, and ATP into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P).

C) to convert a proton gradient, CO2, and NADPH into ATP, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P), and O2

D) to strip electrons from H2O and generate a proton gradient and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P).

Answer 1

The Calvin Cycle converts atmospheric CO2, NADPH, and ATP into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P), a molecule that can be used to form carbohydrates. This energy-consuming process is crucial for the synthesis of organic compounds and is powered by the energy from ATP and the reducing power of NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The function of the Calvin Cycle is to convert CO2, NADPH, and ATP into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P). During this light-independent reaction of photosynthesis, also known as carbon fixation, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is converted into carbohydrates. The cycle utilizes the energy provided by ATP and the reducing power of NADPH, both produced in the light-dependent reactions, to power the chemical reactions that produce G3P molecules, which store captured energy from photosynthesis and can be used to form glucose and other carbohydrate molecules.

Enzymes such as ribulose biphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCO) catalyze the reactions that convert CO2 and ribulose biphosphate (RuBP) into G3P. After three turns of the cycle, one G3P molecule leaves to participate in the synthesis of carbohydrates, while the rest are used to regenerate RuBP, thus preparing the cycle to fix additional CO2.