For the Calvin cycle to proceed uninterrupted, the primary CO ₂ acceptor must be continuously regenerated. How many molecules of ATP and NADPH are utilized during the regeneration phase to form one molecule of RuBP?

Step-by-step solution

The Calvin cycle consists of three main stages: carboxylation, reduction, and regeneration. During the reduction phase, 2 molecules of ATP and 2 molecules of NADPH are utilized per molecule of CO ₂ fixed to reduce 3 -phosphoglycerate to triose phosphate. During the regeneration phase, the primary CO ₂ acceptor, Ribulose- 1,5 -bisphosphate (RuBP), is regenerated from triose phosphates. This regeneration process requires 1 molecule of ATP for phosphorylation to form one molecule of RuBP. No NADPH is utilized during t