Answer
Photosynthesis absorbs the abundant energy of light, especially red and blue light, and passes it through a large number of chemical steps to the carbons in newly-made carbohydrates. Lots of energy is needed since fixing a carbon dioxide molecule from the atmosphere is very expensive, and the energy is carrier in energy-dense ATP and NADPH molecules made during the light reactions. The Calvin cycle does the actual carbon fixation, beginning with the enzyme rubisco.
Work Step by Step
This question asks you to skim through the chapter and summarize the entire process of photosynthesis. Be sure to make a checklist to get all major topics from the various Concepts and to keep clear their order and the flow of energy involved.
