Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an input required for the Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions) in photosynthesis?
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9. Photosynthesis
Calvin Cycle
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During photosynthesis, specifically by the end of the Calvin cycle, what are water ($H_2O$) and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) primarily converted into?
A
Fatty acids
B
Oxygen gas ($O_2$)
C
Glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$)
D
Amino acids
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis: The Calvin cycle is the light-independent stage of photosynthesis where carbon fixation occurs, converting carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) into organic molecules.
Recognize the inputs and outputs of the Calvin cycle: The primary inputs are carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), ATP, and NADPH (produced during the light-dependent reactions). The main output is glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$), a simple sugar.
Identify the chemical transformations: Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) is fixed into a 3-carbon molecule (3-phosphoglycerate) and subsequently converted into glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) through a series of enzymatic reactions powered by ATP and NADPH.
Clarify the role of water ($H_2O$): Water is primarily involved in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, where it is split to produce oxygen gas ($O_2$), electrons, and protons. However, by the end of the Calvin cycle, water does not directly contribute to the formation of glucose.
Conclude that the correct answer is glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$): Fatty acids and amino acids are not direct products of the Calvin cycle, and oxygen gas ($O_2$) is produced during the light-dependent reactions, not the Calvin cycle.
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