Question

the image below shows photosynthesis occurring within a plant cell. which best describes what happens during the light independent reactions in this image? a. energy from the sun is used to produce atp and nadph and to convert water into oxygen gas. b. energy from atp and nadph is used to break down sugar into carbon dioxide gas. c. energy is released when bonds in atp are broken and stored when bonds in sugar form. d. energy is released when bonds in water are broken and stored when bonds in atp form.

Explanation:

• Option A describes light - dependent reactions (using sun's energy, splitting water, making ATP/NADPH), so A is incorrect.
• Option B is wrong because light - independent reactions (Calvin cycle) use ATP and NADPH to build sugar from CO₂, not break down sugar.
• Option C: In light - independent reactions, ATP's bonds are broken to release energy (used for sugar synthesis), and energy is stored in sugar's bonds when it forms from CO₂. This matches the Calvin cycle (light - independent) process.
• Option D describes light - dependent reactions (splitting water, making ATP), so D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Energy is released when bonds in ATP are broken and stored when bonds in sugar form.