Question

3. Where does the Calvin cycle occur and does it need light?

Answer 1

The Calvin cycle occurs in the stroma of chloroplasts in plant cells. It does not directly require light to occur, which is why it is often referred to as a light-independent reaction or dark reaction. However, it relies on the products of the light-dependent reactions (ATP and NADPH) produced in the thylakoid membranes during the light phase of photosynthesis. Hence, while the Calvin cycle can take place without light, it is indirectly dependent on light through the necessity of those products.