Q. For every molecule entering the Calvin cycle, the number of ATP and NADPH required is

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Solution:

The immediate products of one turn of the Calvin cycle are two glyceraldehyde- phosphate molecules, three ADP and two (ADP and are regenerated in the light-dependent reactions). Each G3P molecule is composed of three carbons. In order for the Calvin cycle to continue, (ribulose -bisphosphate) must be regenerated. So, carbon from the two molecules are used for this purpose. Therefore, there is only net carbon produced to play with for each turn. To create 1 surplus , three carbons are required and therefore three turns of the Calvin cycle. To make one glucose molecule (which can be created from two molecules) would require six turns of the Calvin cycle. Surplus can also be used to form other carbohydrates such as starch, sucrose and cellulose depending on what the plant needs.