Why is RuBP Regeneration important to photosynthesis?
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "RuBP Regeneration photosynthesis" to get these possible sources:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1064417
http://books.google.com/books?id=EK0OEaFk2oYC&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=rubp+regeneration+photosynthesis&source=web&ots=brfh5KoTez&sig=trtjGHdMZaKUB8qHZoWSb74Igh4&hl=en
http://www.plantphysiol.org/cgi/content/abstract/93/4/1466
http://books.google.com/books?id=0_3XqlcKPpwC&pg=PA800&lpg=PA800&dq=rubp+regeneration+photosynthesis&source=web&ots=yOFTnGgB9_&sig=vw1WR4QNUuTSMfAL_SzpGu_Fw6s&hl=en
http://books.google.com/books?id=U3n1a6Ir8RYC&pg=PA387&lpg=PA387&dq=rubp+regeneration+photosynthesis&source=web&ots=JQy0EK9Whu&sig=aqamlbw1yk0LScHO06ahZJf1pqI&hl=en
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
RuBP (ribulose bisphosphate) regeneration is a crucial step in the process of photosynthesis. It plays a vital role in the Calvin cycle, which is the second stage of photosynthesis.
During the first stage of photosynthesis known as the light-dependent reactions, light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into chemical energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate). These energy-rich molecules are then utilized in the Calvin cycle.
The Calvin cycle is responsible for the synthesis of organic molecules, particularly glucose, which serves as an energy source for plants and other photosynthetic organisms. RuBP, in this context, acts as a molecule that plays a crucial step in carbon fixation.
Carbon fixation is the process of converting inorganic carbon (CO2) into an organic compound, which is essential for the growth and survival of plants. RuBP works as a catalyst in the fixation of carbon dioxide by binding with it and producing a molecule called 3-phosphoglycerate.
However, during this process, RuBP is broken down into molecules called 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA). In order to continue the cycle, it becomes necessary to regenerate RuBP from PGA.
Regenerating RuBP involves the conversion of PGA molecules into a higher-energy form, which requires more ATP and NADPH. The regenerated RuBP molecules are then ready to bind with more carbon dioxide, initiating another round of the Calvin cycle.
In essence, the regeneration of RuBP allows the plants to sustain a continuous cycle of carbon fixation, ensuring the production of glucose and other organic molecules required for growth and metabolism. Thus, RuBP regeneration is fundamental to maintaining the productivity and energy balance of photosynthetic organisms.