What is the main purpose of the Calvin Cycle in photosynthesis?

The main purpose of the Calvin Cycle in photosynthesis is to produce glucose. This cycle occurs in the stroma of chloroplasts and utilizes the carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere to synthesize glucose through a series of enzymatic reactions. The process involves fixing carbon dioxide into an organic molecule, which is then reduced to produce glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P), a three-carbon sugar. G3P can be converted into glucose and other carbohydrates that plants use as energy sources or structural components.

Glucose production is critical because it serves as the primary energy source for plants, and it also forms the basis of the food chain for other organisms. During the Calvin Cycle, ATP and NADPH generated in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis provide the necessary energy and reducing power for the conversion of carbon dioxide into glucose.

Other options mention processes that do not directly relate to the primary function of the Calvin Cycle. Absorbing light is a function of the light-dependent reactions, not the Calvin Cycle itself. Releasing oxygen mainly occurs during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, where water molecules are split, not in the Calvin Cycle. Fixing nitrogen is a completely different process associated with certain bacteria and is not relevant to the functions of photos