Answer :
Final answer:
In photosynthesis, the metabolic intermediate of the light-independent reactions is 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA). It is formed when ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) reacts with CO₂. The Calvin cycle uses PGA for the synthesis of glucose and other organic molecules.
Explanation:
Understanding the Metabolic Intermediates in Photosynthesis
In the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis, which are also known as the Calvin cycle, several key molecules are involved in the process of carbon fixation. The correct answer to the question, "Which compound is a metabolic intermediate of the light-independent reactions in photosynthesis?" is PGA, which stands for 3-phosphoglycerate.
During the Calvin cycle, ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) reacts with carbon dioxide (CO₂) in a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme RuBisCO. This reaction produces two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA), which serve as metabolic intermediates that can further undergo conversion into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) using energy from ATP and reducing power from NADPH.
Both ATP and NADPH are generated during the light-dependent reactions and are utilized in this cycle. Thus, the key metabolic intermediate in the light-independent reactions, resulting from the fixation of CO₂, is PGA.
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