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What is the role of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, abbreviated RuBisCO, in photosynthesis?

a) It converts glucose to pyruvate.
b) It fixes carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle.
c) It produces ATP in the light reactions.
d) It breaks down glucose in glycolysis.

User Dragon
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Final answer:

RuBisCO, abbreviated for ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, plays a key role in carbon fixation during photosynthesis. It catalyzes the reaction between CO₂ and RuBP, producing 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) and enabling the regeneration of RuBP. RuBisCO does not produce ATP or break down glucose.

Step-by-step explanation:

RuBisCO, abbreviated for ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, plays a key role in photosynthesis by catalyzing the reaction between carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP). This process, known as carbon fixation, results in the production of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA). Additionally, RuBisCO also helps in the regeneration of RuBP, enabling the continuous fixation of CO₂ in the Calvin cycle. It does not produce ATP, break down glucose, or convert glucose to pyruvate.

The role of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, abbreviated as RuBisCO, in photosynthesis is to catalyze a key reaction in the Calvin cycle. Specifically, RuBisCO facilitates the carbon fixation process by catalyzing the reaction between carbon dioxide (CO2) and ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) to produce 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA), which is then used to form glucose and regenerate RuBP.

User Robo Rick
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