Question

Explain what happens at the molecular level during the light independent reaction? Label your balanced chemical equation so that you know which molecules are involved during the light independent reaction.

Answer 1

The light-independent reactions, or Calvin cycle, occur in the stroma of the chloroplast. They use the products of the light-dependent reactions to convert carbon dioxide into glucose. NADPH and ATP are involved in the light-independent reactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle, occur in the stroma of the chloroplast. These reactions use the products of the light-dependent reactions, NADPH and ATP, to convert carbon dioxide into glucose. The balanced chemical equation for the light-independent reactions is:

6 CO2 + 12 NADPH + 18 ATP → C6H12O6 + 6 H2O + 12 NADP+ + 18 ADP + 18 Pi

In this equation, carbon dioxide (CO2), NADPH, and ATP are the molecules involved in the light-independent reactions. Carbon dioxide is fixed, or incorporated, into glucose, which is the primary product of the light-independent reactions.