Final answer:
In eukaryotic cells, the Calvin cycle takes place in the chloroplast stroma, which is the space surrounding the thylakoid membranes within the chloroplast.
Correct option is c) Chloroplast stroma
Step-by-step explanation:
The Calvin cycle, a crucial component of photosynthesis, unfolds in the stroma of chloroplasts within eukaryotic cells, predominantly in the mesophyll layer of plant cells. Chloroplasts, the photosynthetic organelles, possess outer and inner membranes, and their interior harbors thylakoids, organized into grana. The stroma, a fluid-filled region surrounding the thylakoid membranes, serves as the venue for the Calvin cycle. This cycle operates independently of light and utilizes the products generated during the light reactions—located in the thylakoid membranes—to fix carbon dioxide. Through a series of enzyme-mediated steps, the Calvin cycle synthesizes organic molecules, including sugars, facilitating the conversion of light energy into chemical energy that sustains plant growth and metabolism. This intricate interplay between light-dependent and light-independent reactions exemplifies the sophisticated mechanisms underlying the energy-conversion processes in photosynthetic organisms.