Answer :
Final answer:
In the Calvin cycle's light-independent reactions, 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA) acts as a vital metabolic intermediate. It is produced from the reaction of carbon dioxide and ribulose bisphosphate, and is then reduced using ATP and NADPH. This reaction is critical for synthesizing carbohydrates that plants need.
Explanation:
Understanding the Metabolic Intermediates in Photosynthesis
The light-independent reactions, commonly referred to as the Calvin cycle, are essential for the synthesis of carbohydrates in photosynthesis. Among the choices provided, the correct answer is PGA, or 3-phosphoglycerate, which is a key metabolic intermediate within these reactions.
During the Calvin cycle, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is fixed into an organic molecule, specifically ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP), through a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme RuBisCO. This reaction produces PGA, which is then reduced to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) with the help of ATP and NADPH generated in the light-dependent reactions.
The role of PGA is vital as it serves as a precursor for the synthesis of various carbohydrate molecules that plants use for energy and growth. Therefore, the continuous influx of PGA is crucial for sustaining the cycle and allowing for the incorporation of carbon into organic compounds.
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