Which of the following correctly describes the main stages of photosynthesis in plants?

• A. Transcription and translation
• B. Electron transport chain and fermentation
• C. Glycolysis and Krebs cycle
• D. Light-dependent reactions and Calvin cycle

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose molecules.
2. Recognize that photosynthesis occurs in two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle (also known as the light-independent reactions).
3. Learn that the light-dependent reactions take place in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts, where sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll and used to produce ATP and NADPH while splitting water molecules to release oxygen.
4. Understand that the Calvin cycle occurs in the stroma of chloroplasts, where ATP and NADPH generated in the light-dependent reactions are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose through a series of enzyme-mediated steps.
5. Compare the incorrect options (transcription and translation, electron transport chain and fermentation, glycolysis and Krebs cycle) to the correct answer, noting that these processes are unrelated to photosynthesis and occur in other biological contexts such as protein synthesis or cellular respiration.