The Calvin Cycle and Photorespiration in Photosynthesis

Calvin Cycle

Process converting CO2 into sugars using ATP and NADPH.

Light Reactions

Initial phase of photosynthesis producing ATP and NADPH.

Light-Dependent Reactions

Reactions requiring light to generate energy carriers.

Electron Transport Chain

Series of proteins transferring electrons to create ATP.

Calvin-Benson Cycle

Another name for the Calvin Cycle, emphasizing its steps.

Light-Independent Reactions

Reactions that do not require light, utilizing ATP and NADPH.

Dark Reactions

Reactions occurring in absence of light, producing sugars.

RuBisCO

Enzyme fixing CO2 in the Calvin Cycle, prone to error.

Photorespiration

Inefficient process where RuBisCO fixes O2 instead of CO2.

RuBP

Molecule that reacts with CO2 or O2 in the Calvin Cycle.

Phosphoglycolate

Byproduct of photorespiration, requiring energy to convert.

Peroxysome

Organelle where phosphoglycolate is converted back to useful molecules.

Stroma

Fluid-filled space in chloroplast where Calvin Cycle occurs.

Stomata

Leaf openings allowing CO2 intake and water loss.

Cellular Respiration

Process converting sugars into ATP in mitochondria.

Energy Storage

Storing sugars for later use when sunlight is unavailable.

Glucose

Sugar used for energy and synthesizing cellulose.

Cellulose

Structural component of plant cell walls synthesized from glucose.

Oxygen Production

Byproduct of light reactions, essential for aerobic life.

Energy Loss

Up to 40% of energy used to mitigate photorespiration.

Carbon-Reductive Process

Conversion of CO2 into sugars in the Calvin Cycle.

ATP

Energy carrier molecule, unstable and used quickly.

NADPH

Electron carrier used in the Calvin Cycle for sugar production.