Answer:
The light-independent reactions initiate with carbon dioxide and culminate in glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P). Energy from ATP and NADPH generated in light-dependent reactions is utilized for this process.
Explanation:
Step 1: Carbon dioxide combines with ribulose biphosphate (RBP) to create a six-carbon sugar, which quickly breaks down into two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA).
CO₂ + RBP ⟶ 2 3-PGA
Step 2. A phosphate group is added to 3-PGA, forming 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate (1,3-BPG).
3-PGA + ATP ⟶ 1,3-BPG + ADP
Step 3. NADPH facilitates the reduction of 1,3-BPG to G3P.
1,3-BPG + NADPH ⟶ G3P + NADP⁺
Most of the G3P is converted back into RBP, although some exits the cycle to form glucose.