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Multiple Choice
In the Calvin cycle reaction, which molecule acts as the primary carbon dioxide acceptor?
A
Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP)
B
3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA)
C
NADPH
D
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P)
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the Calvin cycle, which is a series of biochemical reactions that occur in the stroma of chloroplasts during photosynthesis. Its primary function is to fix carbon dioxide into organic molecules.
Step 2: Recognize that the Calvin cycle starts with the fixation of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is combined with a 5-carbon molecule called Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) in a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme RuBisCO.
Step 3: Note that RuBP acts as the primary carbon dioxide acceptor in the Calvin cycle. This reaction produces an unstable 6-carbon intermediate that immediately splits into two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA).
Step 4: Understand the roles of the other molecules listed in the problem. NADPH provides reducing power for the cycle, while Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) is one of the products formed later in the cycle.
Step 5: Conclude that Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) is the correct answer because it is the molecule that initially accepts carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle.