Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 40m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 20m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 52m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 57m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

9. Photosynthesis

Calvin Cycle

General Biology

9. Photosynthesis

Calvin Cycle

Previous problemNext problem

1:25 minutes

Problem 5`

Textbook Question

Which of the following does not occur during the Calvin cycle?
a. Carbon fixation
b. Oxidation of NADPH
c. Release of oxygen
d. Regeneration of the CO₂ acceptor

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the Calvin cycle: The Calvin cycle is a series of biochemical reactions that take place in the stroma of chloroplasts in photosynthetic organisms. It is also known as the light-independent reactions or dark reactions.

Identify the main phases of the Calvin cycle: The Calvin cycle consists of three main phases: carbon fixation, reduction phase, and regeneration of the CO2 acceptor (ribulose bisphosphate, RuBP).

Analyze each option: a) Carbon fixation involves the incorporation of CO2 into organic molecules. b) Oxidation of NADPH is part of the reduction phase where NADPH donates electrons. c) Release of oxygen is not part of the Calvin cycle; it occurs during the light-dependent reactions. d) Regeneration of the CO2 acceptor involves the conversion of G3P back into RuBP.

Determine which process is not part of the Calvin cycle: Compare each option with the phases of the Calvin cycle to identify the one that does not occur.

Conclude that the release of oxygen is not part of the Calvin cycle, as it is associated with the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, not the Calvin cycle itself.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Calvin Cycle

The Calvin Cycle is a series of biochemical reactions that occur in the stroma of chloroplasts in photosynthetic organisms. It is part of the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide is fixed into glucose using ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions. The cycle includes carbon fixation, reduction phase, carbohydrate formation, and regeneration of the CO2 acceptor.

Carbon Fixation

Carbon fixation is the process of converting inorganic CO2 into organic compounds during photosynthesis. In the Calvin Cycle, CO2 is fixed by the enzyme RuBisCO, forming 3-phosphoglycerate. This step is crucial for synthesizing glucose and other carbohydrates, providing energy and structural components for the plant.

Oxidation of NADPH

NADPH is a reducing agent used in the Calvin Cycle to convert 3-phosphoglycerate into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. The oxidation of NADPH involves transferring electrons to intermediates in the cycle, facilitating the reduction phase. This process is essential for synthesizing carbohydrates but does not involve the release of oxygen, which occurs in the light-dependent reactions.