Which component of photosynthesis occurs in the stroma of chloroplasts?

The light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle, occur in the stroma of chloroplasts. During these reactions, carbon dioxide is fixed into organic molecules, ultimately leading to the production of glucose. The stroma is the fluid-filled space surrounding the thylakoids within the chloroplast, and it provides the necessary environment for these reactions to take place, including the availability of enzymes required for carbon fixation and energy molecules produced in the light-dependent reactions.

In contrast, the light reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes, where sunlight is absorbed and converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. Water splitting, a process that occurs during the light reactions, is responsible for providing electrons and protons, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. Carbon fixation, while a part of the light-independent reactions, highlights the specific aspect of incorporating carbon dioxide into organic compounds. Thus, the light-independent reactions encompass both carbon fixation and subsequent steps, all of which take place in the stroma.