Understanding Light Reactions: What is the Calvin Cycle?
The first step of the Calvin cycle is the fixation of carbon dioxide. During this process the carbon dioxide is found in the atmosphere is attached to RuBP by rubisco. What is actually occurring is that six carbon molecules are split and form two three-carbon molecules. This is an essential step of the process and needs to be done in order for the Calvin cycle to work properly.
The next step that that occurs in the Calvin cycle is the reduction of carbon dioxide. During this process R-CO2 becomes R-CH20 and G3P turned into glucose or other molecules that are organic. This is the process that must have both the NADPH and ATP that are generated during the photosynthesis process of the plant. Otherwise, they would not have the energy they need in order to function properly.
The final step during the Calvin cycle is the regeneration of RuBP. During this process a single G3P conform glucose or other organic molecules. If there are five G3P then they can be used to reform the five carbon molecule of RuBP. Again, this process uses a large amount of energy and must have ATP in order to function properly. This is what a process of photosynthesis is so important for plants, without them, they would not be able to carry a their other functions because they would have a lack of energy.
G3P, or glucose phosphate, is essential for plants to live. Plants and algae are able to make any kind of molecules they need to from. Inform anything from fatty acids, glycerol, and even amino acids. Is the plan needs energy, is able to form glucose in order to power it. In order to be able to ensure that it is able to transport things throughout the plant is able to form sucrose. In terms of storage, is able to create starches that store things. Finally, they can even form cellulose in order to create and maintain their cell walls. Because of this, the Calvin cycle is a very important process and without it, my life would be unable to survive.
Source:
Benitz, Bill. Lecture: Biology. September 7, 2009
Published by John Smith
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