9

Science
Quarter 1 – Module 15

ECOSYSTEM: THE LIGHT INDEPENDENT

REACTIONS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Science– Grade 9
Quarter 1 – Module 15: ECOSYSTEM: THE LIGHT INDEPENDENT REACTIONS OF
PHOTOSYNTHESIS

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Ruby Lagto Frago

Editor: Benjie L. Cadag

Reviewer: Emily Esmabe

Illustrator:

Layout Artist:
 Differentiate basic features and
importance of photosynthesis and
respiration.
 Supplementary Learning Module for Junior High School Learner

ECOSYSTEM: THE LIGHT INDEPENDENT

REACTIONS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS

How important is light independent reactions to organisms? Light independent

reactions are vital for the existence of most organisms. This process takes molecules of
carbon straight out of the air and turns them into plant matter. If this process does not take
place, plants from the base of the energy pyramid would unable to store energy in a form that
herbivores could digest. Carnivores would subsequently not have access to energy stored in
the bodies of herbivores.

Carbon atoms end up in you and in other life

forms, thanks to the light independent reactions of
photosynthesis. Are you interested to know how are this
process possible? Read on and perform the activities
prepared for you in this module.
At the end of the module, you should be able to:

 define light independent reactions of

photosynthesis;
 describe the processes involved in the light-
independent reaction of photosynthesis; and
 relate light-independent reaction of
photosynthesis to real-life situations through a
reflective writing.

Directions: Identify what is asked or described in each

item then encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following best defines light independent reactions of photosynthesis?

a. It is a set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of
organisms to convert chemical energy from oxygen molecule or nutrients into
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the release waste products.
 b. The series of biochemical reactions in photosynthesis taking place in stroma that
convert carbon dioxide and other compounds into glucose.
c. The series of biochemical reactions in photosynthesis that require light energy that
is captured by light-absorbing pigments to be converted into chemical energy into
the form of ATP and NADPH.
d. The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to
synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.
2. Which is a light independent reaction?
a. Calvin Cycle
b. Photosystem I
c. Electron transport Chain
d. Chemiosmosis

3. Where does the light independent reactions occur?

a. thylakoid
b. stroma
c. mitochondria
d. cell wall

4. What provides the energy for light independent reactions?

a. Sunlight
b. Water
c. ATP from neighboring mitochondria
d. NADPH and ATP from light dependent reactions

5. The main part of the light independent, the Calvin Cycle, has three main steps. These
include ________________________, reduction and regeneration of RuBP.
a. Light absorption
b. Carbon fixation
c. Diffusion
d. Sodium transport
e.
6. Which molecule must enter the Calvin cycle continually for the light-independent
reactions to take place?
a. RuBisCO
b. CO2
c. RuBP
d. NADP

7. Which of the following is NOT a reactant of the Calvin cycle?

a. NADPH
b. ATP
c. Oxygen
d. Carbon dioxide

8. Why is the light independent reaction important to most ecosystems?

a. It turns It turns carbon dioxide from the air into carbon that living things can use to
make sugars, proteins, nucleotides, and lipids.
 b. It stores energy from sunlight into the long-term storage form of sugar, which can
be used by plants, or eaten by animals to form the basis for the food chain.
c. It removes carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, from the air
d. All of the above.

Hi! How did you find the test?

Please check your answers at the answer key section and see
how you did. Don’t worry if you got a low score, this just means
that there are more things that you can learn from this module.
So, hop on!
Now, let’s take a look at some terms below.

The following terms used in this module are defined as follows:

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) - a phosphorylated nucleotide C10H16N5O13P3 composed of

adenosine and three phosphate groups that supplies energy for many biochemical cellular
processes by undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis especially to ADP.
Carbon dioxide - a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic
compounds and by respiration. It is naturally present in air (about 0.03 percent) and is
absorbed by plants in photosynthesis .
Carbon Fixation - it is the process by which inorganic carbon is added to an organic molecule.
Chloroplast - a plastid that contains chlorophyll and is the site of photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll - the green photosynthetic pigment found chiefly in the chloroplasts of plants
G3P (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate) - is the product of the Calvin cycle and is a 3-carbon
sugar that is the starting point for the synthesis of other carbohydrate
NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen) - is a cofactor, used to
donate electrons and a hydrogens to reactions catalyzed by some enzymes.
Photosynthesis - the synthesis of chemical compounds with the aid of radiant energy and
especially light.
Reduction – it is the process where NADPH gives electrons to 3-phosphoglyceric action.
Rubisco - an enzyme present in plant chloroplasts, involved in fixing atmospheric carbon
dioxide during photosynthesis and in oxygenation of the resulting compound during
photorespiration.
RuBP (ribulose bisphosphate) - five-carbon sugar that is combined with carbon dioxide to
form two three-carbon intermediates in the first stage of the light-independent reactions of
photosynthesis
RuBP Regeneration - refers to the cyclical process where the photosynthetic enzyme
Rubisco fixes carbon dioxide into the sugars that fuel plant growth and productivity.
Stroma - the colorless proteinaceous matrix of a chloroplast in which the chlorophyll-
containing lamellae are embedded
Thylakoid - any of the membranous disks of lamellae within plant chloroplasts that are
composed of protein and lip and are sites of the photochemical reactions of photosynthesis.

Directions: Kindly perform the activity below.

Imagine that you are in a dark room (you may close your eyes to visualize). Do you think you
could survive if you were kept in the dark? How would this complete darkness affect you?
How does complete darkness affect other mammals? How about the plants?

I hope you were able to answer the questions above. I know that
you are now more curious about the Light Independent
Reactions of Photosynthesis. So, you may start your journey by
doing the task below.

Directions: Fill in the following KWL chart. In the K box write down what you know about
light dependent reactions of photosynthesis. In the W box write down questions you have
about Light Independent Reactions of Photosynthesis (what you would like to know). This
chart will be returned to you at the end of the unit to complete the L box. In this box you will
write what you have learned throughout the unit and see if your questions have been
answered.

KNOW WONDER LEARNED

What I know about the topic What I want to know What I have learned
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Very Good! The things you know and the things

you want to learn will guide you throughout the module.
Watch out for some misconceptions!

In the light-independent reactions or Calvin cycle, the energized electrons from the
light-dependent reactions provide the energy to form carbohydrates from carbon
dioxide molecules. The light-independent reactions are sometimes called the Calvin
cycle because of the cyclical nature of the process.

Although the light-independent reactions do not use light as a reactant (and as a

result can take place at day or night), they require the products of the light-dependent
reactions to function. The light-independent molecules depend on the energy carrier
molecules, ATP and NADPH, to drive the construction of new carbohydrate
molecules. After the energy is transferred, the energy carrier molecules return to the
light-dependent reactions to obtain more energized electrons. In addition, several
enzymes of the light-independent reactions are activated by light.

CORE CONCEPT

The endergonic light-independent reactions of photosynthesis use the ATP and NADPH
synthesized during the exergonic light-dependent reactions to provide the energy for the
synthesis of glucose and other organic molecules from inorganic carbon dioxide and
water. This is done by "fixing" carbon atoms from CO2 to the carbon skeletons of existing
organic molecules. These reactions occur in the stroma of the chloroplasts.
 KEY POINTS

Good job! Now, take time to process the information you

acquired by accomplishing the next task.

Directions: On the table are some of the words you encountered on the reading above. Fill in
the table by identifying if it’s a product or a reactant and by giving your idea or knowledge
about the given words.

Product or Reactant My idea about this word

Oxygen
ATP
NADPH
Carbon dioxide
Glucose
Guide questions:
1. What does the Light Independent Reactions of Photosynthesis to produce high- energy
sugars?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

2. What are the products of Light Independent Reactions of Photosynthesis?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Stage 1: Fixation

In the stroma, in addition to CO2, two other components are present to initiate the
light-independent reactions: an enzyme called ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase
(RuBisCO), and three molecules of ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP), as shown in Figure
2. RuBP has five atoms of carbon, flanked by two phosphates. RuBisCO catalyzes a
reaction between CO2 and RuBP. For each CO2 molecule that reacts with one RuBP,
two molecules of another compound (3-PGA) form. PGA has three carbons and one
phosphate. Each turn of the cycle involves only one RuBP and one carbon dioxide
and forms two molecules of 3-PGA. The number of carbon atoms remains the same,
as the atoms move to form new bonds during the reactions (3 atoms from 3CO 2 + 15
atoms from 3RuBP = 18 atoms in 3 atoms of 3-PGA). This process is called carbon
fixation, because CO2 is “fixed” from an inorganic form into organic molecules.

Figure 1. Overview of Light Independent Reactions of Photosynthesis

 Stage 2: Reduction

ATP and NADPH are used to convert the six molecules of 3-PGA into six molecules
of a chemical called glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P). That is a reduction reaction
because it involves the gain of electrons by 3-PGA. Recall that a reduction is the
gain of an electron by an atom or molecule. Six molecules of both ATP and NADPH
are used. For ATP, energy is released with the loss of the terminal phosphate atom,
converting it into ADP; for NADPH, both energy and a hydrogen atom are lost,
converting it into NADP+. Both of these molecules return to the nearby light-
dependent reactions to be reused and reenergized.

Stage 3: Regeneration

Interestingly, at this point, only one of the G3P molecules leaves the Calvin cycle and
is sent to the cytoplasm to contribute to the formation of other compounds needed by
the plant. Because the G3P exported from the chloroplast has three carbon atoms, it
takes three “turns” of the Calvin cycle to fix enough net carbon to export one G3P.
But each turn makes two G3Ps, thus three turns make six G3Ps. One is exported
while the remaining five G3P molecules remain in the cycle and are used to
regenerate RuBP, which enables the system to prepare for more CO 2 to be fixed.
Three more molecules of ATP are used in these regeneration reactions.

LET’S GET ORGANIZED!

Directions: Complete the diagram of the Light Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis by

filling in the missing labels.

Part 1
Figure 2. https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/calvin-cycle.html

Part 2
Directions: Fill in the blanks to complete the statement.

1. Energy exists in the form of ____________________________ made by the plant.

2. Plants get their carbon from the ____________________.

3. Photosynthesis occurs in two steps, the second is the __________________________.

4. RuBP contains __________ carbons.

5. The enzyme, _________________________ builds an initial 6 carbon sequence.

6. This sequence split into two short chains called _________.

7. NADPH transfers a __________________ to those molecules, they become G3P.

8. The original RuBP must be _________________________.

9. How many production lines are going on at the same time? _____

10. How many carbons exist from all of these production lines? ______
11. How many of these are used to make glucose? _____ To make RuBP? ______

12. The molecular mix and match ensures that _______ RuBP are regenerated.

Congratulations, you have finished the first part of

this module!

Multiple Choice
Directions: Identify what is asked or described in each
item then encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which of the following best defines light independent reactions of photosynthesis?

a. It is a set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of
organisms to convert chemical energy from oxygen molecule or nutrients into
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the release waste products.
b. The series of biochemical reactions in photosynthesis taking place in stroma that
convert carbon dioxide and other compounds into glucose.
c. The series of biochemical reactions in photosynthesis that require light energy that
is captured by light-absorbing pigments to be converted into chemical energy into
the form of ATP and NADPH.
d. The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to
synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.
2. Which is a light independent reaction?
a. Calvin Cycle
b. Photosystem I
c. Electron transport Chain
d. Chemiosmosis

3. A main part of the light independent, the Calvin Cycle, involves the three main steps.
These include ________________________, reduction and regeneration of RuBP.
a. Light absorption
b. Carbon fixation
c. Diffusion
d. Sodium transport
4. In stage 1, the enzyme RuBisCO incorporates carbon dioxide into an organic molecule,
3-PGA. In stage 2, the organic molecule is reduced using electrons supplied by
NADPH. In stage 3, RuBP, the molecule that starts the cycle, is regenerated so that
the cycle can continue. Only one carbon dioxide molecule is incorporated at a time, so
the cycle must be completed three times to produce a single three-carbon GA3P
molecule, and six times to produce a six-carbon glucose molecule. Which of the
following statements is true?
a. In photosynthesis, oxygen, carbon dioxide, ATP, and NADPH are reactants. GA3P
and water are products.
b. In photosynthesis, chlorophyll, water, and carbon dioxide are reactants. GA3P and
oxygen are products.
c. In photosynthesis, water, carbon dioxide, ATP, and NADPH are reactants. RuBP
and oxygen are products.
d. In photosynthesis, water and carbon dioxide are reactants. GA3P and oxygen are
products.

5. Why is the light independent reaction important to most ecosystems?

a. It turns It turns carbon dioxide from the air into carbon that living things can use to
make sugars, proteins, nucleotides, and lipids.
b. It stores energy from sunlight into the long-term storage form of sugar, which can
be used by plants, or eaten by animals to form the basis for the food chain.
c. It removes carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, from the air
d. All of the above.

6. Which molecule must enter the Calvin cycle continually for the light-independent
reactions to take place?
a. RuBisCO
b. CO2
c. RuBP
d. NADP

7. Which of the following is NOT a reactant of the Calvin cycle?

a. NADPH
b. ATP
c. Oxygen
d. Carbon dioxide

8. Where does the light independent reactions occur?

a. thylakoid
b. stroma
c. mitochondria
d. cell wall

9. What provides the energy for light independent reactions?

a. Sunlight
b. Water
c. ATP from neighboring mitochondria
d. NADPH and ATP from light dependent reactions
 Congratulations on finishing the supplementary
learning module! You have just had an amazing learning
journey and for sure, you will have the same in the
succeeding modules.

Directions: Complete the table now writing what you have learned throughout the unit on
the third column. Kindly check if your questions have been answered.

KNOW WONDER LEARNED

What I know about the topic
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What I want to know
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What I have learned
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 Directions: To strengthen what you have learned in this module, write a short essay about
the importance of the light independent reactions on living organisms specially to us, human
beings. Cite different benefits we directly gain from these reactions.

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TRY THIS
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1. ______________________________________________________________________
B
2. A
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3. B
4. ______________________________________________________________________
D
5. B
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6. B
7. ______________________________________________________________________
C
8. D
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EXPLORE
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Product or Reactant My idea about this word
______________________________________________________________________
 Oxygen Product The byproduct of photosynthesis
ATP Reactant It powers the Calvin Cycle
NADPH Reactant It is the reducing agent
Molecules plant use during
Carbon dioxide Reactant
photosynthesis
It is the product of
Glucose Product photosynthesis and is used by
plants for energy

Guide questions:
1. What does the Light Independent Reactions of Photosynthesis use to produce high-
energy sugars?

The light independent reactions of photosynthesis make use of carbon dioxide, energy
from the ATP, and high energy electron and hydrogen ions from the NADPH.

2. What are the products of Light Independent Reactions of Photosynthesis?

The light dependent reactions of photosynthesis produces oxygen and glucose.

DO THIS!
Let’s get Organized!
Part 1.
Figure 3. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-biology1/chapter/the-calvin-cycle/

Part 2.
1. Sugars
2. Carbon dioxide
3. Light Independent Reactions/ Calvin Cycle
4. 5
5. Rubisco
6. PGA
7. Hydrogen
8. Recreated
9. 6
10. 36
11. 6 and 30
12. 3
APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED
1. B
2. A
3. B
4. D
5. D
6. B
7. C
8. B
9. D

Figures

Figure 1
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-biology1/chapter/the-calvin-cycle/
Figure 2
https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/calvin-cycle.html
Figure 3
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-biology1/chapter/the-calvin-cycle/
Contents

Biology. LibreTexts. (2019). Retrieved from

https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Book%3A_Microbiology_(Boundless)/5%
3A_Microbial_Metabolism/5.11%3A_Phototrophy/5.11C%3A_The_Two_Parts_of_Photosynt
hesis

Boundless Biology. The Light Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis. Retrieved from

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/the-light-dependent-
reactions-of-photosynthesis/

https://www.merriam-webster.com/-Webster dictionary, 2019

Khan Academy. The light-dependent reactions Practice test. [Online] Available:

https://www.khanacademy.org

Miller, K.R. & Levine, J. (2002). Biology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey Prentice
Hall

Pavico, J. F. , Ramos J., Ramos, A. C., Bayquen, A.V., & Silverio, A. A. (2014).
Exploring Life Through Science. Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. Phoenix Publishing
House Inc.

Strategic Intervention Materials. Least Mastered Competency: Compare the dark

and light reactions of photosynthesis. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/xhire/sim-photosynthesis-5141907

Wilhelm. D. (2006). Photosynthesis: Unit Plan. Blacksburg High School. Retrieved

from https://www.pdst.ie/sites/default/files/biounitplan.pdf