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Nature's smallest factory: The Calvin cycle - Cathy Symington

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34,279 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

A hearty bowl of cereal gives you the energy to start your day, but how exactly did that energy make its way into your bowl? It all begins with photosynthesis, the process that converts the air we breathe into energizing glucose. Cathy Symington details the highly efficient second phase of photosynthesis -- called the Calvin cycle -- which converts carbon dioxide into sugar with some clever mix-and-match math.

How many repeats of the Calvin cycle are needed to make one glucose molecule?

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Cathy Symington
  • Producer Darcy Vorhees
  • Director Tom Beuerlein
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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