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Calvin Cycle Vocabulary

Calvin Cycle

  • Also known as light-independent reactions.
  • Requires an input of 6 CO_2 molecules.

Carbon Fixation

  • Carbon from CO_2 is incorporated into organic molecules.
  • This process is catalyzed by the enzyme rubisco.
    • Rubisco is the most abundant protein in the world, estimated at 4 mes 10^{13} grams.

Reduction

  • Involves the reduction of 12 molecules of 3-PGA to 12 molecules of G3P.
  • Requires 12 ATP molecules, which are converted to 12 ADP + 12 P.
  • Also requires 12 NADPH molecules, which are converted to 12 NADP+.
  • G3P molecules take on electrons during this reduction step.

G3P Outcome

  • 2 molecules of G3P are the "profit" (total of 6 carbons).
    • This is equivalent to 1 molecule of glucose (CH{12}O6).
  • 10 molecules of G3P remain in the cycle.

Regeneration of RuBP

  • Involves the (re)investment of 6 5-C RuBP molecules (total of 30 carbons).
  • Requires 6 ATP molecules, which are converted to 6 ADP + 6 P.

Cycle Summary

  • The Calvin Cycle is powered by energy currency molecules: ATP and NADPH.
  • Briefly forms 6 6-C molecules.