5A - Photosynthesis Light independent stage Flashcards
What are the complex organic molecules produced in the light-independent reactions?
The light-independent reactions produce complex organic molecules such as starch (for storage), sucrose (for transport), cellulose (for cell walls), and other important biological molecules.
What is the role of ATP and reduced NADP in the light-independent reactions?
ATP and reduced NADP, produced during the light-dependent reactions, provide the energy and reducing power required for the light-independent reactions.
What are the three main steps within the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle)?
The steps include carbon dioxide fixation, reduction of glycerate 3-phosphate (GP) to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GALP), and regeneration of ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP).
How is carbon dioxide fixed in the Calvin cycle?
Carbon dioxide is combined with a 5-carbon sugar called ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) through the action of the enzyme rubisco.
What is the product of carbon dioxide fixation in the Calvin cycle?
The product is two molecules of a 3-carbon compound called glycerate 3-phosphate (GP).
How is glycerate 3-phosphate (GP) converted to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GALP)?
GP is reduced using energy from ATP and hydrogen from reduced NADP, resulting in the production of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GALP).
What is the role of ATP in the Calvin cycle?
ATP is used to regenerate ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) from the remaining glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GALP) molecules, allowing the Calvin cycle to continue.
How many turns of the Calvin cycle are required to produce one molecule of glucose?
Six turns of the Calvin cycle are required to produce one molecule of glucose, as glucose is a 6-carbon molecule.
What happens to the remaining glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GALP) molecules in the Calvin cycle?
Five-sixths of the GALP molecules are used to regenerate ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP), while the remaining one-sixth is used for the production of glucose and other organic molecules.
What are some important biological molecules produced in light-independent reactions?
The light-independent reactions produce hexose sugars (e.g., glucose), which can be used for energy production or converted into other sugars like sucrose. They also produce polysaccharides such as starch and cellulose, glycerol for lipid synthesis, fatty acids, nucleic acids, amino acids, and more.
What is the significance of nucleic acids in plants?
Nucleic acids, produced using phosphates from the soil combined with molecules from the Calvin cycle, play a crucial role in DNA and RNA synthesis and protein synthesis.
How do the molecules produced in photosynthesis contribute to plant biomass?
The molecules produced in photosynthesis are used to build new plant biomass, and when plants are consumed by consumers, these molecules are passed on and utilized in various biological processes.
What are some examples of photosynthetic products and their uses?
Photosynthetic products include amino acids for protein synthesis, polysaccharides like starch for energy storage, lipids for membrane formation and energy storage, and nucleic acids for genetic material.
How are hexose sugars utilized in plants?
Hexose sugars, such as glucose, can be used as a direct energy source in cellular respiration or converted into other sugars like sucrose for transport or utilized for the synthesis of structural polysaccharides like cellulose.
What are the roles of fatty acids in plants?
Fatty acids are important components for the synthesis of lipids, such as triglycerides and phospholipids, which are essential for membrane structure and energy storage.
