The Calvin Cycle of Photosynthesis

A collection of vocabulary flashcards related to the Calvin Cycle of Photosynthesis, covering key terms, processes, and related plant biology concepts.

Calvin Cycle

A series of biochemical reactions in photosynthesis that occurs in the stroma of chloroplasts, where carbon fixation and the production of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) occur.

Carbon Fixation

The process in the Calvin Cycle where carbon dioxide is attached to ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) to form 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA).

3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA)

A three-carbon compound that is the first stable product of carbon fixation in the Calvin Cycle.

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P)

A three-carbon sugar produced in the Calvin Cycle, which is a key intermediate in carbohydrate synthesis.

Ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP)

A five-carbon sugar that serves as the carbon dioxide acceptor in the Calvin Cycle.

RuBisCO

An enzyme that catalyzes the first step of the Calvin Cycle, facilitating the reaction of RuBP with carbon dioxide.

Phase 1: Carbon Fixation

The first phase of the Calvin Cycle where CO2 interacts with RuBP to form 3-PGA.

Phase 2: Reduction

The phase in the Calvin Cycle where 3-PGA is converted into G3P using ATP and NADPH.

Phase 3: Regeneration of RuBP

The final phase of the Calvin Cycle where G3P is used to regenerate RuBP, allowing the cycle to continue.

C3 Plants

Plants that utilize the Calvin Cycle directly for carbon fixation; examples include rice, wheat, and soybeans.

C4 Plants

Plants that have an additional carbon fixation pathway that allows them to thrive in hot, dry climates by using PEP carboxylase instead of RuBisCO.

CAM Plants

Plants that open their stomata at night to fix CO2, storing it as malate to use during the day; examples include cacti and pineapples.