Light Independent Reaction (Calvin cycle) - Photosynthesis

• • carbon dioxide reacts with ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) to form two molecules of glycerate 3-phosphate (GP). This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme rubisco;
  • reduced NADP from the light-dependent reaction is used to reduce GP to triose phosphate; energy for this process is provided by ATP.
  • some of the triose phosphate is used to regenerate RuBP in the Calvin cycle;
  • Energy from ATP hydrolysis is also needed to regenerate RuBP.

  some of the triose phosphate is converted to useful organic substances e.g. glucose.