Question

Which of the following is an important difference between light-dependent and calvin cycle of photosynthesis?

a. The light-dependent reactions produce short-term chemical energy; the Calvin cycle produces stable energy storage molecules.
b. The Calvin cycle produces short-term chemical energy; the light-dependent reactions produce stable energy storage molecules.
c. Both the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle produce short-term chemical energy.
d. Both the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle produce stable energy storage molecules.

Answer 1

The correct option in the final answer is a. The important difference between the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis is that the light-dependent reactions produce short-term chemical energy carriers, while the Calvin cycle produces stable energy storage molecules in the form of sugars.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main difference between the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis is in the type of energy they produce and utilize. The light-dependent reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts and utilize light energy to produce ATP and NADPH, which are short-term energy carriers. These molecules are considered "full" when they are rich in energy and are utilized in the Calvin cycle, which takes place in the stroma of the chloroplasts. The Calvin cycle, also known as the light-independent reactions, uses the energy from these carriers to fix carbon from CO2 into more stable sugar molecules such as GA3P, which is a building block for glucose and other carbohydrates.

Given the above explanation, the correct option is:

a. The light-dependent reactions produce short-term chemical energy; the Calvin cycle produces stable energy storage molecules.