AP BIOLOGY

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

THE CALVIN CYCLE

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
True or False:While the light dependent phase can only occur during the day, the Calvin Cycle may occur during the day or night
A
True
B
False
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Though it is called the “dark reaction", the Calvin cycle does not actually occur in the dark or during night time. This is because the process requires NADPH, which is short-lived and comes from the light-dependent reactions.

Detailed explanation-2: -Key Points. The Calvin cycle refers to the light-independent reactions in photosynthesis that take place in three key steps. Although the Calvin Cycle is not directly dependent on light, it is indirectly dependent on light since the necessary energy carriers ( ATP and NADPH) are products of light-dependent reactions.

Detailed explanation-3: -Light-dependent reactions happen in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplasts and occur in the presence of sunlight. The sunlight is converted to chemical energy during these reactions. The chlorophyll in the plants absorb sunlight and transfers to the photosystem which are responsible for photosynthesis.

Detailed explanation-4: -Does the dark reaction occur at night? No, the dark reaction does not occur at night. It occurs during the day, but the reaction does not use the light directly. Therefore, it is known as the dark reaction.

There is 1 question to complete.