Photosynthesis: The Calvin Cycle and Reduction of CO2 to Sugar in Chloroplasts

Which of the following statements about photosynthesis is true in regard to the reduction of CO2 to sugar?

Electrons (with accompanying protons) are added to CO2 during photosynthesis.

The true statement about photosynthesis in regard to the reduction of CO2 to sugar is that this process occurs during the light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin Cycle, which take place in the stroma of the chloroplasts. During this process, energy in the form of ATP and NADPH, which are produced during the light-dependent reactions, is used to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) to sugar, namely glucose (C6H12O6). This reduction requires the enzyme RuBisCO, which catalyzes the reaction between CO2 and a 5-carbon sugar, producing two molecules of a 3-carbon compound known as PGA. Through a series of chemical reactions, PGA is converted into G3P, which can be further used to synthesize glucose and other organic compounds. Therefore, photosynthesis is a crucial process that plays a key role in the storage of energy in the form of organic matter, which serves as a source of energy for heterotrophic organisms.

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