What is the term for the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis?

The light-independent reactions of photosynthesis, commonly known as the Calvin cycle, play a crucial role in converting carbon dioxide into glucose. This process occurs in the stroma of chloroplasts and does not require light directly; hence, it takes place both in the presence and absence of light, as long as the ATP and NADPH produced during the light-dependent reactions are available.

During the Calvin cycle, carbon dioxide is fixed into a stable intermediate and subsequently converted into glucose through a series of enzymatic reactions. The main enzyme involved in this process is ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), which catalyzes the first major step of carbon fixation.

In contrast, the electron transport chain and light reactions are associated with light-dependent phases of photosynthesis, focusing on converting solar energy into chemical energy. The Krebs cycle is related to cellular respiration, not photosynthesis, and thus is involved in the breakdown of glucose to produce ATP. Hence, the term that accurately describes the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis is the Calvin cycle.