WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE REGENERATION PHASE OF CALVIN BENSON CYCLE

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During the regeneration phase of the Calvin Benson cycle, the process of the synthesis of glucose occurs. This phase involves the regeneration of the starting molecule, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP), which is necessary for the continuation of the cycle. The steps involved in the regeneration phase can be summarized as follows:

1. 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA), the product of the carbon fixation phase of the Calvin Benson cycle, is converted into 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate (1,3-BPGA) by utilizing ATP.
2. 1,3-BPGA is then reduced to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) by utilizing NADPH. For every three molecules of CO2 that are fixed, six molecules of G3P are produced.
3. Out of the six molecules of G3P produced, one molecule exits the cycle to be used for the synthesis of glucose or other organic molecules. The remaining five molecules of G3P undergo a series of enzymatic reactions, ultimately leading to the regeneration of three molecules of RuBP.
4. The conversion of G3P to RuBP requires an input of ATP. The exact steps involved in the regeneration phase may vary depending on the plant species and environmental conditions.

Overall, the regeneration phase of the Calvin Benson cycle ensures the continuous flow of carbon dioxide fixation and glucose synthesis, which are essential for sustaining plant growth and metabolism.