Calvin Cycle

The Calvin Cycle is a process that occurs when CO2 is converted into sugar. During the Calvin Cycle several compounds are broken and reformed in order to produce different chemical results. The Calvin Cycle is known as a light independent reaction because it does not require sunlight. The Calvin Cycle occurs in the chloroplasts of cells. Without the Calvin Cycle, organisms with chloroplasts would be unable to produce energy in the form of glucose.

Three phases of the Calvin Cycle:

Phase 1:

Rubisco attaches Carbon to RuBP forming a 6-carbon molecule

Phase 2:

NADPH and ATP convert 3-PGA to G3P

Phase 3:

5 G3P and 3 ATP molecules regenerate 3 RuBP