Where does the Calvin Cycle occur in plant cells?

The Calvin Cycle occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast. The stroma is the fluid-filled space surrounding the thylakoids, where the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis take place. This process utilizes the ATP and NADPH produced during the light reactions, which occur in the thylakoid membranes. The Calvin Cycle is responsible for converting carbon dioxide into glucose through a series of enzyme-driven reactions, primarily involving ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) and the enzyme RuBisCO.

This location is crucial because the stroma contains the necessary enzymes and substrates required for carbon fixation and the synthesis of carbohydrate molecules. The conditions in the stroma allow for the proper functioning of these enzymatic reactions, making it an essential site for the synthesis of organic compounds in plants.