THE CALVIN CYCLE Created by: Caitlynn Lied 2008
The dark reaction of photosynthesis
R
RNADPH
NADPH
NADP+
NADP+
A
A
From the light reaction, 3 carbon dioxide molecules enter the cycle
Already, there are 3 Ribulose Biphosphates (RuBP) in the cycle
The carbons bind with the RuBP to form a short-lived molecule, with the help of the enzyme Rubisco
R
R
R
The three molecules then split, forming six phosphoglycerate, or PGA
A
ATP enters the cycle from the light reaction……And the phosphates break off and join
with the PGA
A
A
A
AA
A
A
A
The ADP then goes back to the light reaction to be recharged into ATP again.
NADP+
NADPH
NADPH
NADPH
NADPH
NADPH NAD
PH
NADP+
NADP+NAD
P+
NADP+
NADP+
As NADPH enters from the light reaction, the phosphates from the ATP molecules break off
Then, the NADPH becomes NADP+. These molecules then return to the light reaction
One newly-formed PGAL molecule steps off and waits for the next cycle
Two phosphates leave, and the 5 PGAL re-arrange themselves into RuMP, a five-carbon molecule
Now, three more ATP molecules enter, and donate their phosphates again
This creates the final product, RuBP
Three new carbon then come in, and the cycle begins again
Later, after the cycle has gone again halfway, the PGAL from the first cycle binds with another PGAL to form…
G
GLUCOSE…and the cell has made its food