WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Biology 1, Quarter 2, Week 2B

ENERGY TRANSFORMATION (CALVIN CYCLE)

Learning Competency:
Describe the significant events of the Calvin cycle. (STEM_BIO11/12-IIa-j-5)

Specific Objectives

1. Determine the phases of the Calvin Cycle;

2. Identify the important molecules needed in the Calvin Cycle; and
3. Describe the molecules produced in the Calvin Cycle.

Key Concepts
 Calvin Cycle

You, like all living organisms here on

Earth, are a carbon-based life form. This
only means that the complex molecules of
your amazing body are built on carbon
backbones. You might already know that
you’re carbon-based, but have you ever
asked where all of that carbon comes from?
Apparently, the atoms of carbon in your
body were once part of carbon dioxide
molecules in the air. Carbon atoms end up
inside you, and in other life forms, thanks
to the second stage of photosynthesis,
known as the Calvin cycle.

The Calvin cycle or “dark

reactions” is a process that autotrophs,
like plants and algae, use to make carbon
dioxide from the air into Glucose (C6H12O6)
which is a sugar, the food they need to Figure 1. The Calvin cycle is a part of photosynthesis, the
process plants and other autotrophs use to
grow. This is the process where the second create nutrients from sunlight and carbon
stage of photosynthesis happens to form dioxide. The process was first identified by
American biochemist Dr. Melvin Calvin in 1957.
Glucose (C6H12O6) from CO2 using
Photo source: https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-calvin-cycle-
chemical energy stored in the ATP and 608205
NADPH, the products of light reactions.
This happens in the stroma of the chloroplast.

Calvin Cycle is very significant to every living thing on Earth since we depend on it.
Here’s how: plants depend in the Calvin Cycle for energy and food. Other organisms like
herbivores, also depend on it indirectly because they are fed on plants. Even animals that eat
other organisms, such as carnivores, depend on the Calvin Cycle. Without it, we wouldn't have
the food, energy, and nutrients we need to survive.

Author: MARJORIE T. CHIONG-BERMUDEZ

School/Station: KITCHARAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School)
Division: AGUSAN DEL NORTE
email address: marjoriechiong001@deped.gov.ph or mawjowie0430.mc@gmail.com
Page 1
  Reactions of the Calvin Cycle

There are three main stages in a Calvin Cycle: Carbon fixation, Reduction, and
Regeneration of the starting molecule.

Phase 1: Carbon Fixation

Carbon fixation is a process of merging

CO2, an inorganic carbon molecule into an organic
material. In this phase, the CO2 molecule is
attached to a five-carbon sugar molecule, ribulose
biphosphate (RuBP) with the help an enzyme
named rubisco or RuBP carboxylase, believed to
be the most abundant protein in the chloroplast
and probably on Earth. The resulting product of
carbon fixation is a six-carbon sugar, which is
extremely unstable and immediately splits in half.
Figure 2. Carbon Fixation
The split forms two molecules of a 3- Photo Source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/10037543/
phosphoglycerate(3-Carbon).

Phase 2: Reduction

In reduction phase, a phosphate group (from

ATP) is then attached to each 3-phosphoglycerate
by an enzyme, forming 1,3-phosphoglycerate. To
produce Glyceraldyde-3-phosphate G3P, NADPH
swoops in and reduces 1,3- biphosphogycerate.
The produced six G3Ps by the Calvin Cycle, five are
recycled to give three molecules of RuBP. Of the six
G3P’s produced, only one G3P leaves the cycle to
be packaged for use by the cell. It needs two
molecules of G3P to make one molecule of glucose.
The products formed during the Calvin cycle, ADP
and NADP+, will then be brought back to the
thylakoid membrane and then will enter the light
reactions. Inside the thylakoid, they will be
Figure 3. Reduction Phase
‘recharged’ with energy and become ATP and Photo Source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/10037543/
NADPH.

Phase 3: Regeneration of RuBP

Five molecules of Glyceraldyde-3-phosphate

G3P shall undergo complex enzymatic reactions to
produce three molecules of Ribulose Biphosphate
(RuBP). The cell needs another three molecules of
ATP, but also provides another set of Ribulose
Biphosphate (RuBP) to continue the cycle. Figure 4. Regeneration of RuBp
Photo Source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/10037543/

Author: MARJORIE T. CHIONG-BERMUDEZ

School/Station: KITCHARAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School)
Division: AGUSAN DEL NORTE
email address: marjoriechiong001@deped.gov.ph or mawjowie0430.mc@gmail.com
Page 2
G3P after its release from the cycle

The two Glyceraldyde-3-phosphate G3Ps can

combine to form six-carbon sugar. They could either
be glucose or fructose (C6H12O6). Eventually, glucose
and fructose can be combined to form sucrose.
Starch is formed when glucose is connected in
chains. In lipid and protein synthesis G3Ps can also
be used.

 Making of a carbohydrate:
In making one molecule of G3P, the chloroplast needs
the following:
1. 3 molecules of CO2
2. 9 molecules of ATP
3. 6 molecules of NADPH Figure 5. Calvin Cyle
Photo Source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/10037543/

 Important points to know in the Calvin Cycle

 The sugar produced in the Calvin Cycle is not the six-carbon Glucose that we are familiar
with. The product in the Calvin Cycle is a three-carbon sugar known as G3P or
Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate. The glucose is formed later on.
 There is a need for the Calvin Cycle to ‘spin’ three times to make one molecule of
Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate (G3P) from three molecules of CO2.

Exercises/ Activities

Complete the (Calvin) Cycle

You are going to have an in-depth understanding on the processes involved in the Calvin
Cycle. This includes the identification of the molecules involved in each stage of the light
independent stage of the photosynthesis.

Activity 1. Calvin-Go-“Round”
Objective: To determine the phases of the Calvin cycle.
What you need: Pen and answer sheet
What to do:
1. Copy the diagram in your answer sheet;
2. Choose your answers from the box; and
3. Label the parts of a Calvin Cycle in the given diagram.

Glucose Reduction Regeneration of RUBP

3 ATP → 3ADP Carbon Fixation 6 ATP → 6ADP
3 molecules of CO2 RuBisCO

Author: MARJORIE T. CHIONG-BERMUDEZ

School/Station: KITCHARAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School)
Division: AGUSAN DEL NORTE
email address: marjoriechiong001@deped.gov.ph or mawjowie0430.mc@gmail.com
Page 3
 https://www.biologycorner.com/2020/03/07/the-calvin-cycle/

https://www.biologycorner.com/2020/03/07/the-calvin-
cycle/

Activity 2. Complete Me, Maybe?

Objective: To identify the important molecules needed in the Calvin cycle.
What to do: Complete the key points of the Calvin Cycle with important molecules and phases.
Choose your answers from the box.

Stroma carbon fixation RuBP ATP

NADPH Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate or G3P ADP
Rubisco NADP+ CO2

The Calvin cycle or light-independent reactions in photosynthesis that take place in

three key steps inside the (1) ________________. Even if the Calvin Cycle is not directly
dependent on light, it is indirectly dependent on light since the necessary energy carriers,
(2) ________________and (3) ________________, which are products of light-dependent
reactions. In (4) ________________, the first stage of the Calvin cycle, light-independent
reactions are initiated; (5) ________________is fixed from an inorganic to an organic
molecule, 3-Phosphoglyceric acid (3PG/ 3 PGA). This is done with the help of an enzyme
called (6) ________________.
In the second stage of the light independent reactions, ATP and NADPH are used to
reduce 3-PGA into (7) ________________; then ATP and NADPH are converted to (8) _________
and (9)________________respectively.
(10) ________________ is regenerated in the third stage of the Calvin Cycle, which
enables the system to prepare for more CO2 to be fixed.

Author: MARJORIE T. CHIONG-BERMUDEZ

School/Station: KITCHARAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School)
Division: AGUSAN DEL NORTE
email address: marjoriechiong001@deped.gov.ph or mawjowie0430.mc@gmail.com
Page 4
Activity 3. “Phase”-d But Not Labelled
Objective: To describe the molecules produced in the cycle.
What to do: Label with correct answers the stages and description in a Calvin cycle based on
the molecules produced after each phase.

Summary of the Phase

Phase Description Molecules Involved

https://www.biologycorner.com/2020/03/07/the-calvin-
cycle/
Guide Questions

Direction: Answer the following questions guided by the rubric below. Write your answers on
the answer sheet.
1. Do you consider Rubisco as the most important enzyme in the world? Do you believe
so? Why? Why not?
2. Why do you think a calvin cyle is called a “cycle”?

Rubric for Grading Explanation:

Points Performance
Established an accurate and complete understanding of the question: answers the
5 question, gives a relevant, justifiable answer; and states arguments in a logical
order.
Established accurate but only adequate understanding of question because it does
4 not back with warrants and data.
Does not give an understanding of the question.
3 It does not provide evidence to support their answer to the question.

Author: MARJORIE T. CHIONG-BERMUDEZ

School/Station: KITCHARAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School)
Division: AGUSAN DEL NORTE
email address: marjoriechiong001@deped.gov.ph or mawjowie0430.mc@gmail.com
Page 5
Reflection

Directions: Please put a check mark in the column that corresponds to your answer.
1. Which of the concepts listed in the table below interest you the most? the least?
Most Least
Concepts
Interesting Interesting

The importance of Calvin Cylcle.

Reactions in the Calvin Cycle.

Determining the important details of the

Calvin Cycle.

Directions: Write your answer in two sentences in a separate sheet of paper.

1. Why is Calvin Cycle called the most important process in Carbon-based lifeform?
2. As the global crisis of Green house gases is an environmental problem, how would you
capture the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in your own home, and why?

References

A. Book Source
Jane Reece, et al., Campbell Biology 10th Edition. (San Francisco,
California: Pearson Benjamin Cummings,2010), 190 – 194.
Cecie Starr, Biology: Concepts and Applications 5th Edition (Belmont,
California: Brooks/Cole-Tomson Learning, 2003), 98-100.

B. Internet Source
BOLO Biology Newsletter Achive. “Carbon Fixation”. Accessed November
2, 2020. http://biomoocnews.blogspot.com/2012/10/daily-newsletter-october-10-2012-
carbon.html
National Geographic. “Calvin Cycle”. Accessed November 2, 2020. Retreived from:
https://bit.ly/3fui7KZ
Khan Academy. “The Calvin cycle”. Accessed November 2, 2020, Retrieved from:
https://bit.ly/375RyrB
The Calvin Cycle (Light Independent Reaction). Accessed November 2, 2020, Retrieved from:
https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/calvin-cycle.html

C. Image References
Figure 1. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-calvin-cycle-608205
Figure 2. Photo Source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/10037543/\
Figure 3. Photo Source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/10037543/Photo
Figure 4. Source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/10037543/
Figure 5. Photo Source: https://slideplayer.com/slide/10037543/
The Calvin Cycle. https://www.biologycorner.com/2020/03/07/the-calvin
WorkSheet on Calcin Cycle. https://www.biologycorner.com/wp-content/uploads/calvin-cycle-
ws.png

Author: MARJORIE T. CHIONG-BERMUDEZ

School/Station: KITCHARAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School)
Division: AGUSAN DEL NORTE
email address: marjoriechiong001@deped.gov.ph or mawjowie0430.mc@gmail.com
Page 6
Page 7
email address: marjoriechiong001@deped.gov.ph or mawjowie0430.mc@gmail.com
Division: AGUSAN DEL NORTE
School/Station: KITCHARAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School)
Author: MARJORIE T. CHIONG-BERMUDEZ
Activity 1A. Calvin-Go- Activity 1B. Complete Me,
“Round” Maybe?
1. 3 molecules of CO2
2. carbon fixation 1. stroma
3. 6 ATP → 6ADP 2. ATP
4. Reduction 3. NADPH
5. glucose 4. CARBON FIXATION
6. regeneration of RUBP 5. CO2
7. 3 ATP → 3ADP 6. Rubisco
8. RuBisCO 7. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate or
G3P
8. ADP
9. NADP+
10. RuBP
Activity IC. “Stage”-d But Not Labelled
1. Carbon Fixation- Carbon fixation is a process of incorporating an inorganic carbon
molecule, CO2, into an
organic material. In this phase, the CO2 molecule is attached to a five-carbon sugar
molecule named ribulose biphosphate (RuBP) aided by an enzyme named rubisco or
RuBP carboxylase.
The resulting product, a six-carbon sugar, is extremely unstable and immediately splits
in half. The split forms two molecules of a 3-phosphoglycerate (3-carbon).
2. Reduction
A phosphate group (from ATP) is then attached to each 3-phosphoglycerate by an
enzyme, forming 1,3-phosphoglycerate. NADPH swoops in and reduces 1,3-
biphosphogycerate to G3P.
For every six G3Ps produced by the Calvin Cycle, five are recycled to regenerate three
molecules of RuBP. Only one G3P leaves the cycle to be packaged for use by the cell. It
will take two molecules of G3P to make one molecule of glucose. The ADP and NADP+
that is formed during the Calvin Cycle will be transported back to the thylakoid
membrane and will enter the light reactions. Here, they will be ‘recharged’ with
energy and become ATP and NADPH.
3. Regeneration of RuBP
Five molecules of G3P undergo a series of complex enzymatic reactions to form three
molecules of RuBP. This costs the cell another three molecules of AT, but also provides
another set of RuBP to continue the cycle.
Answer Key