Nature's smallest factory: The Calvin cycle - Cathy Symington
2,947,686 Views
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.
The Calvin cycle is the second part of the photosynthesis reaction. Photosynthesis stores energy from the sun as well we carbon from the air together in the high-energy molecule, glucose. Does the Calvin cycle itself have a use or release energy? With energy that is used, where does it come from?
Sign in to answer questionAbout 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
