The Calvin Cycle

Calvin Cycle

a series of enzyme assisted reactions that create glucose

Reduction

an atom gains energy when it gains an electron and its charge lowers

Oxidation

an atom loses energy by donating an electron and as a result its charge increases

carbon fixation

carbon dioxide gets combined with RUBP with the help of the enzyme rubisco

CO2 levels

chemical variable that improves glucose production up to a point

stroma

location of the Calvin Cycle

stomata

openings in leaves that allow CO2 in and water out

CAM pathway

pathway used by plants in hot climates that only open their stomata at night to save water

C-4 pathway

pathway used by plants in hot climates that partially open stomata to create four carbon compound and save water

reduction phase

phase of the Calvin Cycle when NADPH donates the electrons it gained in the light reactions

rubisco

the enzyme that combines carbon dioxide and RUBP

RuBP

the five carbon compound that combines with carbon dioxide with the help of rubisco

light intensity

energy variable that improves glucose production up to a point

temperature

energy variable that improves glucose production up to a point, after which it decreases glucose production by denaturing enzymes

regeneration phase

stage of the Calvin cycle when RUBP is regenerated to restart the cycle