The light reactions of photosynthesis need to produce ATP a

The light reactions of photosynthesis need to produce ___ ATP and ___ NADPH be able to make ONE molecule of glucose.

Solution

For every three molecules of CO2 that enters photosynthesis light reaction, one molecule of G3P is produced. Two molecules of G3P are needed to generate one molecule of glucose.

Hence, the light reaction needs to make a total of 6 attempts to produce 2 molecules of G3P. Each Calvin cycle requires 3 molecules of ATP and 2 molecules of NADPH so for 6 attempts:

3 ATP x 6 = 18 ATPs

2 NADPH x 6 = 12 NADPHs