explain calvin cycle
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Answer:
The Calvin cycle is a set of light independent redox reactions that occur during photosynthesis and carbon fixation to convert carbon dioxide into the sugar glucose. These reactions occur in the stroma of the chloroplast, which is the fluid-filled region between the thylakoid membrane and inner membrane of the organelle. Here is a look at the redox reactions that occur during the Calvin cycle.
The function of the Calvin cycle is to create three-carbon sugars, which can then be used to build other sugars such as glucose, starch, and cellulose that is used by plants as a structural building material. The Calvin cycle takes molecules of carbon straight out of the air and turns them into plant matter.
This makes the Calvin cycle vital for the existence of most ecosystems, where plants form the base of the energy pyramid. Without the Calvin cycle, plants would be unable to store energy in a form that herbivores could digest. Carnivores would subsequently not have access to energy stored in the bodies of herbivores!
The carbon backbones created in the Calvin cycle are also used by plants and animals to make proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and all the other building blocks of life.
The Calvin cycle also regulates the levels of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in the Earth’s atmosphere. Scientists have raised concerns because, in addition to putting huge amounts of CO2 back into the air by burning coal, oil, and gasoline, humans have also cut down about half of all Earth’s forests, which play an important role in removing CO2 from the air.