Final answer:
The light independent reaction, part of photosynthesis occurring in the stroma of chloroplasts, does not require light and uses energy from the light-dependent reactions to fix carbon into sugars.
Step-by-step explanation:
The light independent reaction, often referred to as the Calvin cycle, takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast, which is the fluid-filled space that surrounds the thylakoid membranes. Unlike the light-dependent reactions that occur in the thylakoid membranes and capture energy from sunlight, the Calvin cycle uses that captured energy to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds, such as glucose.
This process is called 'carbon fixation' because carbon from carbon dioxide is 'fixed' into an organic molecule. It is also known as the 'dark reaction' because it does not require light to proceed, although it does depend on the energy carriers (ATP and NADPH) produced during the light-dependent reactions. The Calvin cycle plays a crucial role in the energy cycle of all living organisms by contributing to the formation of the sugars that are used by living cells for energy and growth.