Question

In the Calvin cycle, the unstable 6 carbon compound breaks apart to form two molecules of ________?

1) Glucose
2) Pyruvate
3) Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
4) Ribulose bisphosphate

Answer 1

In the Calvin cycle, the unstable 6 carbon compound breaks apart to form two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA). These molecules can be reduced to form glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GA3P) and eventually glucose or other carbohydrates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Calvin cycle is the second stage of photosynthesis, which takes place in the stroma of chloroplasts. In this cycle, a 6 carbon compound called ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) is initially formed. However, it quickly breaks apart into two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA).

During the Calvin cycle, each molecule of 3-PGA is reduced using energy and electrons from molecules like NADPH, resulting in the formation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GA3P). GA3P molecules can then be used to produce glucose or other carbohydrate molecules.