On page 212 of your book you will find Figure 8-11, which outlines the Calvin Cycle of Photosynthesis. As good as this figure is, it leaves out vital information that you will be responsible for on your future quizzes and exam. That information is as follows:
The six 5-carbon molecules under section A of the figure is called RuBP, which we have talked about many times in class.If you have any questions, please let us know!
The six RuBP molecules combine with the carbons from six carbon dioxides with the help from an enzyme called Rubisco. This is not shown on the figure, so you should definitely make note of it.
The first set of 12 3-carbon molecules are called PGA.
After the 12 ATP and NADPH molecules release their energy into the cycle, the 12 PGA molecules are converted into 12 PGAL molecules, as shown in section B of the figure.
