Senior High School

General Biology 1
Quarter 2 Week 4 – Module 4
Photosynthesis: Light
Independent Reactions

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General Biology – Grade 12
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 4: Photosynthesis: Light Independent Reactions
Second Edition, 2021

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Compiler/ Contextualizer: EUSEBIA L. HERNANDEZ, MT1 Don Sergio
Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School
Editors/Reviewers:
MS. CELIA C. GEPITULAN - Principal 1, Regino Mercado Night High
School
MRS. JOCELYN C. BUTANAS - MT1, Talamban National High School
MR. BONNIE JAMES SACLOLO- TIII- Cebu City Science High School
MR. REY A. KIMILAT- HTV, Abellana National High School
Language Editor
MRS. ROQUESA B. SABEJON-PSDS North District 7

Management Team:

Chairperson: DR. RHEA MAR A. ANGTUD - Schools Division Superintendent

DR. BERNADETTE A. SUSVILLA -Asst. Schools Division Superintendent
MRS. GRECIA F. BATALUNA Chief, Curriculum Instruction Division
MRS. VANESSA L. HARAYO- EPS, LRMDS
DR. RAYLENE S. MANAWATAO – EPS, Science

Department of Education – Schools Division of Cebu City, Region VII

Office Address: New Imus Road, Day-as, Cebu City, Philippines

Telefax: 032-2551516
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Website: http://www.depedcebucity.com

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What I Need to Know

MODULE 4
Photosynthesis: Light Independent Reactions
__________________________________________________________________________________

Quarter : Second Quarter

Content Standard : The learners demonstrate an understanding of the light

independent reactions of photosynthesis.

Performance Standard : The learners should be able to explain the Calvin cycle
and other alternative pathways of photosynthesis.
Learning Outcomes : Upon the completion of the given unit, the SHS
students are expected to explain how plants convert
light energy from the Sun and stored it as chemical
energy in organic molecules.

Learning Competency : Describe the significant events of the Calvin cycle

(STEM_BIO11/12-IIa-j5).
Duration : 1 Week
Topic : Photosynthesis: Light Independent Reactions

_________________________________________________________________________________

Hello STEM learners! In this module, you will explore how light energy is
converted to chemical energy during light independent reactions inside the
chloroplast. As you understand the processes, you will identify the molecules
needed and produced during the Calvin cycle. Moreover, you will also compare the
different pathways of how plants synthesize carbon dioxide to produce
carbohydrates.

This module focuses on the lesson on light independent reactions of

photosynthesis or the Calvin cycle.
After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the important molecules involved in the Calvin cycle;

2. describe the events and processes happening during the Calvin cycle;
3. identify the molecules produced during light independent reactions
photosynthesis; and
4. compare the different pathways of carbon fixation among plant groups.

What I Know

Directions: Write the letter of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following does NOT occur during the Calvin cycle?
A. carbon fixation C. oxidation of NADPH
B. release of oxygen D. regeneration of the CO2 acceptor

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2. How is photosynthesis similar in C4 and CAM plants? It is similar in both
cases when ____________________________________.
A. only photosystem I is used
B. rubisco is not used to fix carbon initially
C. C4 and CAM plants make sugar without the Calvin cycle
D. C4 and CAM plants make most of their sugar in the dark
3. Which of the following event occur within the stroma?
A. absorption of light in photosystem I
B. fixation of CO2 with RuBP via rubisco
C. production of ATP aided by ATP synthase
D. movement of electrons through the electron transport chain
4. How does the Calvin cycle differ from the light dependent reaction? Calvin cycle
________________ while light reaction __________________.
A. requires water; requires light
B. requires light; requires water
C. produces G3P; produces ATP and NADPH
D. takes place in the thylakoid; takes place in the stroma
5. Which gas enters the pineapple leaf at night?
A. oxygen C. vaporized water
B. carbon dioxide D. carbon monoxide
6. Why is RuBP important in the light independent reaction? It is a molecule
that__________________________.
A. combines with carbon dioxide
B. releases oxygen into the atmosphere
C. begins the electron transport system
D. transfers hydrogen ions to carbon dioxide
7. Which order of molecular conversions is correct for the Calvin cycle?
A. CO2 → 3-PGA → RuBP → G3P
B. RuBP + G3P → 3-PGA → sugar
C. RuBisCO → CO2 → RuBP → G3P
D. RuBP + CO2 → [RuBisCO]3-PGA → G3P
8. How many molecules of NADPH are needed to produce one molecule of G3P?
A. 3 B. 6 C.9 D. 12
9. Which molecule must enter the Calvin cycle continually for the light
independent reactions to take place?
A. CO2 B. D.3-PGA C. RuBisCO D. RuBP
10. Which statement summarizes the main events in photosynthesis?
A. Photolysis produces NADPH and ATP which are used to reduce a 5C
carbohydrate.
B. Photolysis uses light to produce reduced NADP and oxygen which are
used to reduce a 3C carbohydrate.
C. A 5C carbohydrate accepts carbon dioxide and is then reduced by
NADPH derived from photophosphorylation.
D. A 3C carbohydrate is regenerated and reduced by hydrogen molecules
derived from photophosphorylation.
11. Which statement correctly describes carbon fixation? It is the __________.
A. use of rubisco to form 3-PGA
B. use of ATP and NADPH to reduce CO2
C. conversion of CO2 into an organic compound
D. production of carbohydrate molecules from G3P

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12. As temperatures increase, gases such as CO2 diffuse faster. As a result,
plant leaves will lose CO2 at a faster rate than normal. How this loss of gas
will affect photosynthesis in the leaf? Loss of CO2 ____________.
A. will speed up the Calvin cycle to compensate for the loss
B. will slow down and possibly stop the Calvin cycle because of
inadequate carbon to fix in the system
C. does not affect photosynthesis because the stored reservoirs of CO2 in the
leaf can be utilized in such times
D. does not affect photosynthesis because water and light are still present
which will let the Calvin cycle run smoothly
13. How many molecules of PGAL are needed to reform 3 molecules of RuBP?
A.2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
14. What would be the effect if photosynthesis stops occurring throughout the
world?
A. extinction of plants and animals
B. immediate decrease in atmospheric dioxide
C. alternating cooling and warming of the Earth
D. rapid increase in plant reproduction and proliferation
15. How do desert plants prevent water loss from the heat, which would compro-
mise photosynthesis? It is by using CAM photosynthesis and by ___________.
A. keeping stomatal pores always closed
B. opening of stomatal pores always open
C. closing stomatal pores during the night
D. opening of stomatal pores during the night

Light Independent Reactions

Light independent reactions or Calvin cycle is the second stage of
photosynthesis which takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast. The cycle uses
the products of light reactions to fix carbon dioxide to produce sugar.

What’s In

Let us check if you can still recall the concepts that you learned in the
previous lesson by answering the exercise below.

Revisiting the Concepts of Light Reactions

I. Modified True or False
Directions: Write T if the statement is true and if the statement is false change
the underlined word/s to make it correct. Write your answer on a
separate sheet of paper.

______________1. Light-dependent reactions occur in the thylakoid membrane of

the chloroplast.
______________2. H2O is the electron donor during light reactions of photosynthesis.
______________3. The final electron acceptor during light-dependent reactions is the
NADP+.
______________4. ATP and NADPH are produced via electrophoresis in the thylakoid
membrane.
______________5. Cyclic electron flow generates ATP and NADPH.

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II. Matching Type

Directions: Match Column A with Column B. Write your answer on a separate

sheet of paper.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. electron flow that uses Photosystem II and I a. cyclic electron flow
2. the splitting of H2O molecule due to light energy b. linear electron flow
3. the process of synthesizing ATP from ADP aided c. stomata
by light energy
4. part of the leaf where O2 exits d. NADP reductase
5. protein complex that aids in reduction of NADP+ e. ATP synthase
forming NADPH
6. membrane protein that aids in the synthesis of ATP f. chemiosmosis
7. the enzyme that transfers an electron to NADP+ g. photolysis
8. the source of energy during the light reactions h. photophosphorylation
9. a short circuit pathway of electron flow during light i. sun
reactions utilizing either of the photosystems
10. mechanism when ETC pumps proton (H+) across a j. ferredoxin
membrane, as electrons are passed through a series
of carriers that are progressively more electronegative

What’s New

The Key Players in the Calvin Cycle

Directions: Encircle the words in the word grid horizontally, vertically, diagonally,
and backward. Use the attached sheet to answer. A list of words is
provided in the box.

RuBP Rubisco Phosphoglycerate G3P

NADPH PEPco Biphosphoglycerate ATP

S A L T Y I S G 3 P B A D F P R U S
G L O A N S C X Z H 6 Q S A E S C V
H V V X Q T Y I B O O S D B P F E S
V I E Z A A H B N S P A F A C C S E
B A G N S Y I N V P L T G L O V E S
R S O S A U I K C H M Y H H A T E S
U D B Z 9 D E S S O N I J L O P A Z
B I P H O S P H O G L Y C E R A T E
P V S B C A C H C L O P O S C X P T
T C C I S Q I P Q Y V L K O E Y E A
F D V B I X L S S C G M L F R H R S
D T O C B C K E R E H H M C T N T Z
S Y L S U V M S S R Y L N S C J D X
C I Q C R B N C U A E F G E S V S C
B N R O A G O A T T S D J R D F C V
S O S L S J P T V E D E N T E D F N

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These terms are the key players in the Calvin cycle that you need to
familiarize with. The meaning and description of these molecules can be found in
the next part of the lesson as you explore the light independent reactions of
photosynthesis.

What Is It

Calvin Cycle

The ATP and NADPH produced during light dependent reactions are used in
the Calvin cycle which occurs in the stroma. During this phase of photosynthesis,
the starting material is regenerated after some molecules enter while other
molecules exit the cycle. Calvin cycle is an anabolic process that synthesizes
carbohydrates from smaller molecules and consuming energy. Carbon enters the
Calvin cycle in the form of CO2 and leaves in the form of sugar. The cycle spends
ATP as an energy source and consumes NADPH as reducing power for adding high-
energy electrons to make the sugar. The carbohydrate produced directly from the
Calvin cycle is not glucose, but a three-carbon sugar called glyceraldehyde 3-
phosphate (G3P). For the net synthesis of one molecule of G3P, the cycle must
take place three times, fixing three molecules of CO2 - one per turn of the cycle. As
we trace the steps of the cycle, it's important to keep in mind that we are following
three molecules of CO2 through the reactions. Figure 1 divides the Calvin cycle into
three phases: carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration of ribulose biphosphate
(RuBP).

Figure 1. Calvin Cycle

Source: (https://quizlet.com/230333286/calvin-cycle-diagram/)

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1. Carbon Fixation

Carbon fixation is a process of incorporating an inorganic carbon molecule,

CO2, into organic material. In this phase, the CO2 molecule is attached to a five-
carbon sugar molecule named ribulose biphosphate (RuBP) aided by an enzyme
named rubisco or RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase. Rubisco is believed to be the most
abundant protein in the chloroplast and maybe on Earth. The resulting product is
a six-carbon sugar, extremely unstable, and immediately splits in half. The split
forms two molecules of a 3-phosphoglycerate (3-carbon) PGA.

2. Reduction

A phosphate group (from ATP) is then attached to each 3- phosphoglycerate

by an enzyme, forming 1,3-phosphoglycerate. NADPH swoops in and reduces 1,3-
biphosphoglycerate to G3P. For every six G3Ps produced by the Calvin Cycle, five
are recycled to regenerate three molecules of RuBP. Only one G3P exits the cycle to
be packaged for use by the cell. It will take two molecules of G3P to make one
molecule of glucose. The ADP and NADP+ that is formed during the Calvin Cycle
will be transported back to the thylakoid membrane and will enter the light
reactions. Here, they will be ‘recharged’ with energy and become ATP and NADPH.

3. Regeneration of RuBP
Five molecules of G3P undergo a series of complex enzymatic reactions to
form three molecules of RuBP. This costs the cell another three molecules of ATP
but also provides another set of RuBP to continue the cycle.

Therefore, to make one molecule of G3P, the chloroplast needs 3

molecules of CO2, 9 molecules of ATP, and 6 molecules of NADPH. Two G3Ps
can combine to form either glucose or fructose (monosaccharide) which are both
six-carbon sugar. Glucose and fructose can be combined to form sucrose
(disaccharide). Glucose can also be connected in chains to form starch
(polysaccharide). G3Ps can also be used in lipid and protein synthesis.

Alternative Mechanisms of Carbon Fixation

On hot, dry days, most plants close their stomata, a response that conserves
water. This response also reduces photosynthetic yield by limiting access to CO 2.
With stomata even partially closed, CO2 concentrations begin to decrease in the air
spaces within the leaf, and the concentration of O 2 released from the light reactions
begins to increase. These conditions within the leaf favor a wasteful process called
photorespiration because it occurs in the light (photo) and consumes O2 while
producing CO2 (respiration). In most plants, initial fixation of carbon occurs via
rubisco, the Calvin cycle enzyme that adds CO 2 to ribulose bisphosphate. Such
plants are called C3 plants because the first organic product of carbon fixation is a
three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. Rice, wheat, and soybeans are C3
plants that are important in agriculture. However, during photorespiration, O2
substitutes for CO2 in the active site of rubisco. This process consumes organic fuel
and releases CO2 without producing ATP or carbohydrate which drains away as
much as 50% of the carbon fixed by the Calvin cycle. As heterotrophs that depend
on carbon fixation in chloroplasts for our food, we naturally view photorespiration
as wasteful. Indeed, if photorespiration could be reduced in certain plant species
without otherwise affecting photosynthetic productivity, crop yields and food

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supplies might increase. In some plant species, alternate modes of carbon fixation
have evolved that minimize photorespiration and optimize the Calvin cycle even in
hot, arid climates. The two important photosynthetic adaptations are C4
photosynthesis and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM).

C4 Plants
The C4 plants are so named because they preface the Calvin cycle with an
alternate mode of carbon fixation that forms a four-carbon compound such as
oxaloacetate as its first product. In C4 plants like corn and sugarcane, there are
two distinct types of photosynthetic cells: bundle-sheath cells and mesophyll
cells. Bundle-sheath cells are arranged into tightly packed sheaths around the
veins of the leaf. Between the bundle sheath and the leaf surface are the more
loosely arranged mesophyll cells. The Calvin cycle is confined to the chloroplasts of
the bundle sheath cells; however, it is preceded by the incorporation of CO2 into
organic compounds in the mesophyll cells. Refer to the numbered steps in Figure 2,
which are also described here:

Steps of C4 Pathway

1. The enzyme called PEP carboxylase (PEPco) present only in mesophyll cells
adds CO2 to phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), forming the four-carbon product
oxaloacetate. This enzyme has a much higher affinity for CO2 than rubisco
and no affinity for O2. Therefore, PEP carboxylase can fix carbon efficiently
when rubisco cannot.
2. After the C4 plant fixes carbon from CO2, the mesophyll cells export their
four-carbon products (malate in the Figure) to bundle-sheath cells through
plasmodesmata (channels which traverse the cell walls of plant cells that
enable transport and communication of cells).

plasmodesmata

Figure 2. C4 Pathway
Source: https://alevelbiology.co.uk/notes/calvin-cycle-light-independent-reactions)

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3. Within the bundle-sheath cells, the four-carbon compounds release CO2,
which is re-assimilated into organic material by rubisco and the Calvin
cycle. The same reaction regenerates pyruvate, which is transported to
mesophyll cells. There, ATP is used to convert pyruvate to PEP, allowing the
reaction cycle to continue.

Therefore, in the C4 photosynthetic pathway, the plants spend ATP to

minimize photorespiration and enhance sugar production. This adaptation is
especially advantageous in hot regions with intense sunlight, where stomata
partially close during the day. It is in such environments that C4 plants evolved
and thrive today. However, the distribution of C3 and C4 plants may be affected
by continuous global climate change and the increasing average temperature of
the planet.
CAM Plants
Another photosynthetic adaptation to arid conditions has evolved in many
succulent (water-storing) plants, numerous cacti, and pineapples. These plants
open their stomata during the night and close them during the day, just the reverse
of how other plants behave. Closing stomata during the day helps desert plants
conserve water, but it also prevents CO2 from entering the leaves. During the night,
when their stomata are open, these plants take up CO2 and incorporate it into a
variety of organic acids. This mode of carbon fixation is called crassulacean acid
metabolism, or CAM, after the plant family Crassulaceae, the succulents in which
the process was first discovered. The mesophyll cells of CAM plants store the
organic acids (oxaloacetate) they make during the night in their large vacuoles until
morning. During the day, when the light reactions can supply ATP and NADPH for
the Calvin cycle, CO2 is released from the organic acids to be incorporated into
sugar in the chloroplasts.

Figure 3. Comparison of Different Carbon Fixation Pathways

Source:(https://ib.bioninja.com.au/higher-level/topic-8-metabolism-cell/untitled-2/c3-c4-
and-cam-plants.html)

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CAM pathway is like the C4 pathway in that carbon dioxide is first
incorporated into organic intermediates before it enters the Calvin cycle. The
difference is that in C4 plants, the initial steps of carbon fixation are separated
structurally (mesophyll and bundle sheath cells) from the Calvin cycle, whereas in
CAM plants, the two steps occur at separate times but within the same cell
(mesophyll). CAM, C4, and C3 plants all eventually use the Calvin cycle to make
sugar from carbon dioxide. Figure 3 presents a comparison of the 3 carbon fixation
pathways.
The Importance of Photosynthesis

The light reactions capture solar energy and use it to make ATP and transfer
electrons from water to NADP+, forming NADPH. The Calvin cycle uses ATP and
NADPH to produce sugar from carbon dioxide. The energy that enters the
chloroplasts as sunlight becomes stored as chemical energy

Sun

Figure 4. A Review of Photosynthesis

Source: Campbell Biology 2014

in organic compounds (refer to Figure 4). The sugar made in the chloroplasts
supplies the entire plant with chemical energy and carbon skeletons for the
synthesis of all the major organic molecules of plant cells. About 50% of the organic
material made by photosynthesis is consumed as fuel for cellular respiration in
plant cell mitochondria. Only the green cells of the plant are capable of

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photosynthesis, so other parts also depend on the organic compounds exported
from the leaves via the veins. The plants stock some of the organic compounds
(sucrose, cellulose) in their roots, tubers, seeds, and fruits. In accounting for the
consumption of the food molecules produced by photosynthesis, let’s not forget
that most plants lose leaves, roots, stems, fruits, and sometimes their entire bodies
to heterotrophs, including humans. This organic compound produced by
photosynthesis provides the energy and building material for Earth’s ecosystems.
On a global scale, photosynthesis is the process responsible to produce food and
the presence of oxygen in our atmosphere. Thus, we need to plant more trees and
minimize air pollution to reduce the effect of global warming.

What’s More

Comparing Photosynthetic Pathways

Directions: Complete the table to differentiate the 3 pathways of carbon fixation
among the given plant groups then answer the guide questions on a
separate sheet of paper.

Table of Comparison Between C3, C4, and CAM Plants

C3 Plants C4 Plants CAM Plants

Most plants

Stomata open during the

night
Enzyme PEP carboxylase

Carbon fixation occurs

during day and night
Carbon fixation occurs in
bundle sheath cells
Produce organic acid (ex.
malate)
Loses water through
photorespiration
Adapted in the hot, moist
dry climate

Guide questions

1. Which of the plant groups utilized the most energy-efficient method of

carbon fixation? Explain.
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Temperature and light intensity are two of the factors that may affect the
rate of photosynthesis. Which of the two would you expect to have more
effect on the rate at which the Calvin Cycle proceeds? Explain briefly.
___________________________________________________________________________

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3. Many urban areas in our country are becoming less eco-friendly in exchange
for new buildings and commercialization. What do you think is the
implication of this to photosynthesis?
___________________________________________________________________________

What I Have Learned

Directions: Fill in the appropriate term/s to complete the statements below. Write
your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. The Calvin cycle occurs in the stroma using electrons from NADPH and
energy from __________.
2. During the carbon fixation phase, the CO2 molecule is attached to ribulose
biphosphate (RuBP) aided by an enzyme called ________ forming 2 molecules
of 3-phosphoglycerate.
3. Each molecule of 3- phosphoglycerate is attached with phosphate from ATP
forming 1,3-biphosphoglycerate which will be reduced by ______ becoming
G3P.
4. The cycle needs ____ CO2 molecules to produce one molecule of G3P.
5. Other G3P molecules produced will be __________ through enzymatic
reactions which will be used in the Calvin cycle.
6. For every molecule of G3P synthesized, it requires 9 molecules of ATP and
____ of NADPH.
7. Alternative pathways of carbon fixation occur in some plants to
minimize_________.
8. In C4 plants, carbon dioxide is initially fixed via enzyme ________________
forming oxaloacetate before it proceeds Calvin cycle.
9. CAM plants fixed CO2 during _____ by incorporating in various organic acids.
The CO2 is then released during the day when enough ATP and NADPH can
supply the Calvin cycle.
10.Thus, to synthesize one glucose molecule, the Calvin cycle uses ____
molecules of CO2, _____molecules of ATP, and 12 molecules of NADPH.
The glucose synthesized during the Calvin cycle may combine to form
disaccharides, polysaccharides, or used in lipid and protein synthesis.

What I Can Do

Illustrating Calvin Cycle

Instructions
1. In a separate bond paper redraw the Calvin cycle (Figure 1) using numerals
to indicate the numbers of carbons instead of gray balls, multiplying at each
step to ensure that you have accounted for all carbons.
2. Write the important steps that occur during carbon fixation, reduction, and
RuBP regeneration.
3. Answer the guide questions on the space provided.

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Guide questions
1. How many molecules of CO2 are needed to produce 1 molecule of glucose?
_________________________________________________________________________
2. In what forms do the carbon atoms enter and leave the cycle?
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Why is it important to regenerate RuBP in the Calvin cycle?
_________________________________________________________________________
4. How does photosynthesis help diminish the effect of global warming on the
planet? _________________________________________________________________

Assessment

Directions: Write the letter of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following is NOT a step in the light independent reaction?
A. ATP and NADPH are used to produce high-energy sugars.
B. High-energy electrons move through the electron transport chain.
C. Carbon dioxide attached to ribulose biphosphate (RuBP) is aided by
rubisco.
D. Ribulose biphosphate is regenerated to fix another carbon dioxide
molecule.
2. A biology student grew algae in the presence of a poisonous substance that
stops the light independent reactions of photosynthesis. Which molecules
will the light dependent reactions stop producing?
A. ADP and NADP+ C. ATP and NADP+
B. ADP and NADPH D. ATP and NADPH
3. How many molecules of CO2 are needed to produce one molecule of glucose?
A. 6 B. 8 C. 10 D. 12
4. What is the role of rubisco in the Calvin cycle?
A. phosphorylates ADP forming ATP
B. regenerates Ribulose biphosphate
C. attaches CO2 to Ribulose biphosphate
D. reduces PGA to 1-3 biphosphoglycerate
5. Why are ATP and NADPH needed in the Calvin cycle? ATP and NADPH are
needed in the Calvin cycle because they _______________________.
A. supply chemical energy in synthesizing carbohydrates
B. transfer hydrogen ions to carbon dioxide forming water
C. transfer the electron through the electron transport chain
D. release oxygen into the atmosphere which will be used by other
organisms
6. Which of the following differentiates C4 plants and CAM plants? C4 plants
__________________ while CAM plants _______________________.
A. fix CO2 at night; fix CO2 daytime
B. use rubisco to fix CO2; use PEPco to fix CO2
C. open stomata at night; open stomata during the day
D. fix CO2 in the mesophyll and bundle sheath cells; fix CO2 in mesophyll
cells
7. How many molecules of NADPH are needed to produce one molecule of
G3P?
A. 3 B. 6 C.9 D. 12

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8. Which of the following is the correct sequence of the Calvin cycle?
I. RuBP regeneration
II. carbon fixation aided by rubisco
III. reduction of 1-3 biphosphoglycerate to G3P by NADPH
IV. phosphorylation of 3-phosphoglycerate molecule by ATP
A. I, II, III, IV B. II, III, IV, I C. II, IV, III, I D. III, IV, I, I
9. How are light dependent reactions connected to the Calvin cycle?
A. The Calvin cycle uses sugar molecules formed within the thylakoid
membrane to generate high energy molecules.
B. The processes in the thylakoid membrane use sugar molecules formed
during the Calvin cycle to generate high-energy molecules.
C. The processes in the thylakoid membrane use high energy molecules
formed during the Calvin cycle to convert CO2 into sugar molecules.
D. The Calvin cycle uses high energy molecules formed within the thylakoid
membrane to convert CO2 into sugar molecules that occur in the stroma.
10. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O) combines to yield
glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2). What is the balanced chemical equation
for this reaction?
A. CO2 + H2O C6H12O6 C. 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + O2
B. 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 D. 6H2O + 6CO2 C6H12O6 +6 O2
11. Which stage of the Calvin cycle will require both ATP and NADPH from the light
dependent reactions?
A. regeneration of RuBP C. carbon dioxide fixation
B. cyclic electron pathway D. carbon dioxide reduction
12. What would happen to the plant’s production of glucose if carbon dioxide were
removed from a plant’s environment?
A. More glucose molecules will be produced.
B. Fewer glucose molecules will be produced.
C. The plants will not produce any glucose at all.
D. The same number of glucose molecules will be produced.
13. A mutation occurs in the chloroplasts of a lettuce plant, causing its thylakoid
membranes to become more permeable to charged ions. How might this
mutation affect the Calvin cycle?
A. There would be no change to the Calvin cycle.
B. Fewer carbohydrates will be produced by the Calvin cycle.
C. More carbohydrates would be produced by the Calvin cycle.
D. There would be a sudden drop of the carbohydrates produced by the
Calvin cycle.
14. What will happen to a plant leaf that loses CO2 too quickly? Photosynthesis
will _________________________________.
A. continue normally C. decrease and then increase
B. increase exponentially D. slow down or stop possibly
15. Why does it take three turns of the Calvin cycle to produce G3P, the initial
product of photosynthesis? It is because Calvin cycle______________.
A. produces rubisco enzyme
B. produces ATP and NADPH for fixation of G3P
C. fixes enough oxygen to export one G3P molecule
D. fixes enough carbon to export one G3P molecule

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References

Offline sources
Reece, J.B; Urry, L.A; Cain, M.L; Wasserman, S.A; Minorsky, P.V; and Jackson,
R.B. (2014). Campbell Biology 10th. San Francisco (CA): Pearson Benjamin
Cummings.
Teaching Guide in General Biology 1. Department of Education. 2016

Online sources
http://mandevillehigh.stpsb.org/teachersites/laura_decker/photosystemnotes.htm
https://alevelbiology.co.uk/notes/calvin-cycle-light-independent-reactions/
https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-C4-pathway
https://quizlet.com/230333286/calvin-cycle-diagram/
https://www.barnesville.k12.mn.us/cms/lib/MN02204890/Centricity/Domain/93
/Bio_10_Chapter_8_Study_Test_10-11.pdf
https://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/5363/S_
BI_Photosynthesis09_T.pdf
https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/practice_book_biology.pdf
https://www.henry.k12.ky.us/userfiles/107/Classes/2217/Photosynthesis.pdf
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/photosynthesis-in-plants/the-
calvin-cycle-reactions/e/the-calvin-cycle
https://openstax.org/books/biology-ap-courses/pages/8-critical-thinking-
questions
https://openstax.org/books/biology-ap-courses/pages/8-science-practice-
challenge-questions
https://ib.bioninja.com.au/higher-level/topic-8-metabolism-cell/untitled-2/c3-c4-
and-cam-plants.html

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What’s In
Modified True or False
1.T 2.T 3.T 4. Chemiosmosis 5. Noncyclic or linear
Matching type
1.B 2.G 3.H 4.C 5.J 6.E 7.D 8.I 9.A 10.F
What’s more
C3 Plants C4 Plants CAM Plants
Most plants Tropical grasses like corn, Succulents, pineapple
sugarcane
Stomata opens day and night Stomata opens day and night Stomata open during the night
Enzyme rubisco Enzyme PEP carboxylase used Enzyme PEP carboxylase used
for initial carbon fixation but for initial carbon fixation but
used rubisco during Calvin used rubisco during Calvin
cycle cycle
Carbon fixation occurs during Carbon fixation occurs during Initial Carbon fixation at night
day and night day and night
Carbon fixation occurs in Carbon fixation occurs in Carbon fixation occurs in
mesophyll cells mesophyll and bundle sheath mesophyll cells
cells
Produce G3P Produce organic acid (ex. Produce organic acid (ex.
malate) then G3P malate) then G3P
Loses water through Loses less water Loses least water
photorespiration
Adapted in wet and moist Adapted in the hot, moist dry Adapted in hot, dry climate
climate climate
What’s more
1. C4 plant groups are the most energy efficient in carbon fixation because these plants
minimize photorespiration and therefore enhance sugar production. C3 plants use rubisco
which allows photorespiration which is a wasteful process.
2. Higher light intensity means more photons striking the chlorophyll pigments supplying
energy in the thylakoid which results in high photosynthetic rate. But very high or low
temperature slows down the photosynthetic rate as the enzymes cannot work properly
which hinders or slows down the chemical reaction. This means that it is the temperature
that has a greater effect whether Calvin cycle can proceed or not.
3. More buildings mean less plants which results to lower photosynthetic rate. As a result,
lesser oxygen, more carbon dioxide and other pollutants concentrated in the atmosphere.
This makes the urban areas hotter compared to the rural areas where more plants are
available.
What I Have Learned
1.ATP 2.rubisco 3.NADPH 4.3 5.regenerated
6. 6 7. Water loss 8. PEPco 9. night 10. 6, 18
Answer Key
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N F D E T N E D E V T P J S L S O S
V C F D R J D S T T A O G A O R N B
C S V S E G F E A U C N B R C Q I C
X D J C S N L Y R S S M V U S L Y S
Z T N T C M H H E R E K C B C O T D
S R H R F L M G C S S L X I B V D F
A E Y E O K L V Y Q P I Q S I C C T
T P X C S O P O L C H C A C B S V P
E T A R E C Y L G O H P S O H P I B
Z A P O L J I N O S S E D 9 Z B D U
S E T A H H Y M H C K I U A S O S R
S E V O L G T L P V N I Y S N G A B
E S C C A F A P S N B H A A Z E I V
S E F P B D S O O B I Y T Q X V V H
V C S E A S Q 6 H Z X C S N A O L G
S U R P F D A B P 3 G S I Y T L A S
Usable sheet for What’s new, just cut this template.
What I Can Do
Guide questions
1. 6
2. CO2 enters as inorganic substance with less energy and leaves the cycle as organic
substance which is energy stores a large amount of energy.
3. RuBP should be regenerated for the Calvin cycle to occur continuously being a raw
material of the cycle. Absence of RuBP means that rubisco has nothing to bind to in fixing
CO2.
4. Photosynthesis minimizes the effect of global warming by taking in CO 2 during Calvin
cycle. Absence of photosynthesis means more CO 2 in the atmosphere which will
accumulate as pollutants increasing the temperature of the planet. This also means less
oxygen available for the humans and animals which is crucial for their survival.
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Division of Cebu City
Office Address: Imus Street, Cebu City
Telephone Nos.: (032) 255-1516 / (032) 253-9095
E-mail Address: [email protected]

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