Redraw the cycle in Figure 10.19 using numerals to indicate the numbers of carbons instead of gray balls, multiplying at each step to ensure that you have accounted for all the carbons. In what forms do the carbon atoms enter and leave the cycle?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Carbon dioxide is the molecule that enters the cycle one by one. The three different carbon atoms enter the cycle and leave as a single three-carbon molecule of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphates concerning three turns of a cycle.

Step by step solution

01

Reactions in chloroplasts 

Chloroplasts are an important organelle of plants in which the Calvin cycle and light reactions occur. Both these mechanisms are interdependent.

02

Steps in the Calvin cycle

There are three phases in the Calvin cycle such as carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration. In carbon fixation, the carbon dioxide entering the reaction gets converted into 3-phosphoglycerate, which is converted into 1, 3 bisphosphoglycerate.

The next step is the reduction phase, in which glyceraldehydes-3-phosphates are formed. After this step, the regeneration of RuBP takes place.

03

Calculation of carbon atoms involved

Three different carbon atoms present in three molecules of carbon dioxide enter into the Calvin cycle's reaction. It is then converted into a component containing 18 carbon atoms from which a single carbon atom with three carbons is formed and leaves the reaction to form the sugar molecules.

The molecules getting into the regeneration phase has 15 carbon atoms in them. The complete cycle is illustrated below:

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Based on the data in the scatter plot, estimate the percentage change in dry mass of corn and velvetleaf plants if atmospheric CO2 concentration increased from 390 ppm(current levels) to 800 ppm. (a) What is the estimated dry mass of corn and velvetleaf plants at 390ppm? 800 ppm? (b) To calculate the percentage change in mass for each plant. Subtract the mass at 390 ppm from the mass at 800ppm(change in mass), divide by the mass at 390ppm (initial mass), and multiply by 100. What is the estimated percentage change in dry mass for corn? For velvet leaf? (C) Do these results support the conclusion from the other experiments that C3 plants grow better than C4 plants under increased CO2 concentration? Why or why not?

Which process is most directly driven by light energy?

(A). creation of a pH gradient by pumping protons across the thylakoid membrane.

(B) reduction of NADP+ molecules

(C) transfer of energy from pigment molecule to pigment molecule

(D) ATP synthesis.

Describe the trends shown by the regression lines in your scatter plot. (a) Compare the relationship between the increasing concentration of CO2 and the dry mass of corn to that for velvetleaf. (b) Considering that velvetleaf is a weed invasive to cornfields, predict how increased CO2 concentration may affect interactions between the two species.

What color of light is least effective in driving photosynthesis? Explain.

Explain why a poison that inhibits an enzyme of the Calvin cycle will also inhibit the light reactions.

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