2.19 The Calvin Cycle

Phase 1

Enzyme Rubisco catalyzes carboxylation of 3 CO2 to 3 RuBP to from 6 PGA

Phase 2

6 PGA are reduced to form 6 1,3-BPG which is then reduced to 6 G3P

This requires 6 ATP and 6 NADPH

Phase 3

5 G3P molecules are used to regenerate 3 RuBP we began with

3 ATP are required

1 G3P can go towards making glucose

Calvin Cycle

also called the dark reaction or light independent reaction which is misleading since light is not needed directly, the products of light reactions are

Calving cycle requires light

Light reactions and Calvin Cycle are interdependent

plants use cellular respiration to survive when there is no light for a short period of time