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