Light independent reactions of photosynthesis

ATP and NADPH The six carbon

produced in the light compound splits to
dependent reactions form two glycerate-
are used in the light 3-phosphate (G-3-
independent P) molecules.
reactions. This briefly forms
an unstable six-
. carbon
intermediate
compound.
The enzyme ribulose The light dependent
bisphosphate
reactions occur in
carboxylase
(Rubisco) catalyses stroma of
attachment of CO2 to chloroplast.
ribulose
bisphosphate
(RuBP).

H
O C O H O
O O
C C C O P O
Carbon dioxide H
O H H O
Triose phosphate

H
H O H O H O
H C C C C C O P O
O O H H O
O P O H
O Ribulose bisphosphate
Each glycerate-3- Each
phosphate then phosphorylated
receives one glycerate-3-
phosphate from phosphate is
ATP. reduced by NADPH.

© David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology 1

 Light independent reactions of photosynthesis

For every six

molecules of triose
phosphate one
goes to form
glucose.
The result is two The five remaining
molecules of triose TP molecules are
phosphate (TP). reorganised to
reform RuBP.

The reorganisation
of TP into RuBP
requires ATP.

O O O
Adenosine O P O
O P O P O
O O O

© David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology 2