Final answer:
RuBisCO is crucial in the Calvin cycle for carbon fixation, where it catalyzes the reaction between CO2 and RuBP, resulting in the formation of organic molecules that are later turned into glucose and other carbohydrates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, commonly referred to as RuBisCO, is essential in the process of photosynthesis during the Calvin cycle. RuBisCO catalyzes the first major step of carbon fixation, which is the joining of carbon dioxide (CO₂) with ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP), to form a 6-carbon intermediate that quickly splits into two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA). This key process initiates the transformation of inorganic carbon into organic compounds that plants can use for energy and growth.
Throughout the Calvin cycle, RuBisCO facilitates the production of 3-carbon sugars by incorporating CO₂ into an organic molecule. These sugars are later used to form glucose and other carbohydrates that are vital for the plant's metabolism. Thus, RuBisCO is not only a crucial enzyme for the survival of plants but also for the life on Earth, as it plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle.