Binding of Carbon Dioxide RuBisCo

The reduction of carbon dioxide takes place at a location different from the RC. Energy-rich ATP is used in the dark reactions of photosynthesis, which produce carbohydrates from CO2. The photosynthetic net reaction may be written as 

FIGURE 15.12 Ribulose-l-5-biphosphate forming a bond with carbon dioxide (dashed line). 

The details of the full reaction are not fully known. ATP, an Mg ion, and an arginine residue play active roles. The molecule formed decays into two phospho-glycerate molecules, which later form sugars and carbohydrates. 

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