Process of Light-independent Reactions
- The light-independent reactions is also known as the Calvin cycle.
- For every six carbon dioxide molecules that enter the cycle, 12 three-carbon molecules are formed.
- These three-carbon molecules go through process by which they get broken down. This removes some of the atoms attached to the carbons. Energy from ATP and NADPH are required to make these reactions happen.
- The resulting molecules still contain a three-carbon chain. The atoms in the molecule are different.
- For every 12 of the resulting three-carbon molecules made, two are taken out to build organic compounds. The rest continue in the cycle. The two three-carbon molecules that have been removeed bond together. They form a six-carbon sugar such as glucose.