Question

1.6) State the functions of each of the three phases of the Calvin cycle.

Answer 1

The three phases of the Calvin cycle are:

1. The fixation stage - this stage is where the carbon in atmospheric carbon dioxide is added to ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) by the enzyme Rubisco, forming 3-phosphoglyceric acid.
2. The reduction stage - this stage is where RuBP is reduced into glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) with the use of NADPH generated from the light reactions of photosynthesis.
3. The regeneration stage - this stage is where RuBP is regenerated from G3P molecules through the hydrolysis of ATP molecules.