Describe the main events occurring inside each of the three phases of the Calvin cycle, using the acronyms of the molecules, enzymes, and energy carries involved
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Phase 1 (carbon fixation):
- The enzyme rubisco (RuBP carboxylase) catalyzes the attachment of carbon dioxide to a five carbon sugar, ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP).
- The unstable product formed immediately splits to form two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (for each CO2)
- 6 molecules of ATP and 6 molecules of NADPH are used.
Phase 2 (reduction):
- Each molecule of 3-phosphoglycerate receives an additional phosphate group from ATP, becoming 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate.
- Electrons stored in NADPH are transferred to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate. This produces G3P (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate), a sugar.
Phase 3 (regeneration):
- G3P is chemically modified in a way that regenerates RuBP. During this process, 3 ATP are used. Once RuBP is regenerated, it is prepared to receive CO2 again, thus continuing the cycle.
- The enzyme rubisco (RuBP carboxylase) catalyzes the attachment of carbon dioxide to a five carbon sugar, ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP).
- The unstable product formed immediately splits to form two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (for each CO2)
- 6 molecules of ATP and 6 molecules of NADPH are used.
Phase 2 (reduction):
- Each molecule of 3-phosphoglycerate receives an additional phosphate group from ATP, becoming 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate.
- Electrons stored in NADPH are transferred to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate. This produces G3P (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate), a sugar.
Phase 3 (regeneration):
- G3P is chemically modified in a way that regenerates RuBP. During this process, 3 ATP are used. Once RuBP is regenerated, it is prepared to receive CO2 again, thus continuing the cycle.
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...noodles! Seriously though, I don't see a point in answering while That Sucks has given such a good answer.