C3 pathway

The C3 pathway, also known as the Calvin Cycle, is a key process in photosynthesis used by plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert carbon dioxide into glucose, a type of sugar. This process occurs in the chloroplasts and involves three main stages: carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration. During carbon fixation, carbon dioxide is incorporated into a 5-carbon sugar. Then, energy from sunlight is used to convert this into glucose. The C3 pathway is essential for plant growth and provides energy for nearly all life on Earth, as it forms the foundation of the food chain.