What is the primary function of the Calvin Cycle?

The primary function of the Calvin Cycle is to build high-energy compounds like sugars. This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells and is central to photosynthesis. During the Calvin Cycle, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is fixed and combined with ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) to form organic molecules. Through a series of chemical reactions, these molecules are eventually transformed into glucose and other carbohydrates, which serve as essential energy sources for the plant and, ultimately, for organisms that consume plants.

The Calvin Cycle does not involve the direct conversion of sunlight into chemical energy; that process takes place during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. Additionally, while the cycle involves the incorporation of carbon dioxide, it does not produce oxygen; oxygen is released during the light-dependent reactions. The production of proteins from amino acids is not part of the Calvin Cycle, as this cycle specifically relates to carbon fixation and carbohydrate synthesis, rather than protein synthesis.