Photosynthesis Light independent reaction (the Calvin cycle)

Stage 1

CO2 enters the leaf through the stomata

CO2 combines with Ribulose Biphosphate (RuBP) to make an unstable 6 carbon compound, catalysed by Rubisco, This is called Carboxylation.

The 6 carbon compound quickly breaks down to a 3 carbon compound called Glycerate-3-phosphate

stage 2

GP is reduced to Triose phosphate by the Hydrogen on reduced NADP/NADPH and the energy from ATP being broken down to ADP+Pi

triose phosphate can be used to form other useful organic compounds

stage 3

5 carbons from 2 Triose phosphates are used to make RuBP using the energy from ATP, the left over 1 carbon is used to make other useful organic compounds like glucose

How many turns of the cycle does it take to make glucose

6