Dark Reactions

Dark reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle, are a part of photosynthesis where plants convert carbon dioxide into glucose molecules. Unlike the initial light-dependent reactions that require sunlight, dark reactions happen in the chloroplasts without direct light. They use energy-rich molecules (ATP and NADPH) produced earlier to fix carbon dioxide, assembling it into sugars that the plant uses for energy and growth. Think of it as a factory process that takes raw materials and energy to produce vital food molecules, enabling plants to store energy for later use.