The Calvin Cycle: Light-Independent Reactions
The Calvin cycle, also known as the light-independent or dark reactions, is the second phase of photosynthesis. It takes place in the chloroplast stroma and uses the products of the light reactions to fix carbon dioxide into glucose.
Key points:
- Occurs in the chloroplast stroma
- Uses ATP and NADPH from light reactions
- Fixes CO2 into organic molecules (carbon fixation)
- Produces glucose as the end product
Vocabulary: Stroma - the fluid-filled space inside chloroplasts where the Calvin cycle occurs
Definition: Carbon fixation - the process of converting inorganic CO2 into organic molecules like glucose
Highlight: The Calvin cycle is the primary carbon fixation process in nature
Example: The simplified equation for the Calvin cycle is: CO2 + ATP + NADPH → Glucose + ADP + NADP+
Understanding the Calvin cycle steps and functions is essential for comprehending how plants and other photosynthetic organisms produce their own food. This process is the foundation of most ecosystems on Earth.
