What are the two main stages of photosynthesis in plants and algae?

• A. Glycolysis and the citric acid cycle
• B. Light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions)
• C. Transcription and translation
• D. Photolysis and fermentation

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify that photosynthesis is the process by which plants and algae convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.
2. Recognize that photosynthesis consists of two main stages: one that requires light and one that does not.
3. The first stage is the light-dependent reactions, where light energy is captured by chlorophyll and used to produce ATP and NADPH while splitting water molecules (photolysis) to release oxygen.
4. The second stage is the Calvin cycle (also called light-independent reactions), which uses the ATP and NADPH from the first stage to fix carbon dioxide into glucose through a series of enzyme-driven steps.
5. Understand that glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, transcription, translation, and fermentation are processes unrelated to the main stages of photosynthesis.