G3P
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) is a three-carbon sugar produced during the Calvin Cycle in the Stroma of the Chloroplast. It is a key intermediate in Photosynthesis, serving as the primary product of carbon fixation. Two molecules of G3P are eventually used to synthesize one molecule of glucose or other organic compounds, making it a critical building block for plant metabolism.
G3P is formed when ATP and NADPH, generated in the Light-Dependent Reactions, provide the energy and electrons needed to reduce 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) during the Calvin Cycle. Some G3P is recycled to regenerate RuBP, enabling the cycle to continue, while the rest exits the cycle to contribute to carbohydrate synthesis. Its versatility makes G3P an essential molecule for energy storage and biosynthesis in plants.