In an experiment tracking the Calvin cycle in a C₃ plant, it was observed that exactly 36 molecules of ATP were consumed specifically during the reduction phase. Based on this observation, calculate the number of glucose molecules synthesized and the number of ATP molecules consumed in the regeneration phase.

Step-by-step solution

In the Calvin cycle, the reduction phase requires 2 ATP and 2 NADPH per molecule of CO₂ fixed. If 36 ATP were consumed in the reduction phase, the number of CO₂ molecules fixed is 36 2 = 18 molecules. Since 6 molecules of CO₂ are required to synthesize one molecule of glucose, the number of glucose molecules synthesized is 18 6 = 3 molecules. The regeneration phase of the Calvin cycle requires 1 ATP per CO₂ molecule fixed. Therefore, for 18 CO₂ molecules, 18 1 = 18 ATP molecules are consumed in the regeneration pha