Grade 12 · Biology
The Calvin cycle
Why it matters
Fixing carbon into sugar.
Advanced20m readingPrerequisite: Light-dependent reactions
What is the Calvin cycle?
Short answer
The Calvin cycle is the second stage of photosynthesis, occurring in the stroma of the chloroplast and needing no light directly. It uses the ATP and NADPH made in the light-dependent reactions to fix carbon dioxide into an organic molecule, eventually building glucose. Because it does not require light itself, it is also called the light-independent reactions.
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Frequently asked questions
- Does the Calvin cycle need light?
- Not directly, but it depends on the ATP and NADPH produced by the light-dependent reactions, so it stops without light.
- What does the Calvin cycle produce?
- It fixes carbon dioxide into organic molecules that are used to build glucose.