Final answer:
Rubisco catalyzes carbon fixation in the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis. It attaches CO2 to RuBP, forming 3-PGA. RuBP is necessary for the cycle to continue, leading to the production of G3P which can be transformed into glucose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The substance that catalyzes carbon fixation is Rubisco (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase). Rubisco is an enzyme that catalyzes the first major step of carbon fixation, which is a critical process in the Calvin cycle during photosynthesis. This enzyme facilitates the attachment of carbon dioxide to ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP), producing 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA).
The Calvin cycle requires the continuous entry of RuBP for the light-independent reactions to take place, which is regenerated at the end of the cycle. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll absorbs the energy of a photon, which is then used to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. Photosynthetic electron transport chains ultimately get their electrons from water. Furthermore, the process of cellular respiration is used by both plants and animals to convert nutrients into energy.
The primary product of the Calvin cycle is Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate (G3P), which can be used by the plant to form glucose and other carbohydrates. The Calvin cycle is essential for converting inorganic carbon (CO2) into organic compounds in photosynthetic organisms, which are autotrophs, unlike heterotrophs such as intestinal bacteria that rely on consuming organic compounds for energy.