Question

task card #12 what are light-independent reactions? h₂o light o₂ light reactions atp nadph nadp⁺ adp + pi co₂ calvin cycle sugar

Explanation:

Light - independent reactions (also known as the Calvin Cycle) are a series of biochemical reactions in photosynthesis. They occur in the stroma of chloroplasts. These reactions do not directly require light energy. Instead, they use the ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) produced during the light - dependent reactions, along with carbon dioxide ($\ce{CO_2}$), to synthesize organic compounds such as glucose (sugar). The Calvin Cycle has three main stages: carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration of the starting molecule (ribulose - 1,5 - bisphosphate, RuBP). In carbon fixation, $\ce{CO_2}$ combines with RuBP. Then, in the reduction stage, the resulting molecules are reduced using ATP and NADPH to form glyceraldehyde - 3 - phosphate (G3P), some of which is used to make glucose. The remaining G3P is used to regenerate RuBP so that the cycle can continue.

Answer:

Light - independent reactions (Calvin Cycle) are photosynthetic reactions that don't need light directly. They use ATP, NADPH (from light - dependent reactions) and $\ce{CO_2}$ to produce sugars (e.g., glucose) via stages like carbon fixation, reduction, and RuBP regeneration, occurring in chloroplast stroma.