dark reaction

American  

noun

1. the phase of photosynthesis, not requiring light, in which carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide.

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dark reaction British  

noun

1. botany the stage of photosynthesis involving the reduction of carbon dioxide and the dissociation of water, using chemical energy stored in ATP: does not require the presence of light Compare light reaction

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dark reaction Scientific  

1. Any of the chemical reactions that take place during the second stage of photosynthesis and do not require light. During the dark reactions, energy released from ATP (created by the light reactions) drives the fixation of carbon from carbon dioxide in organic molecules. The Calvin cycle forms part of the dark reactions. As long as ATP is available, the dark reactions can occur in darkness or in light.

2. Compare light reaction See more at Calvin cycle photosynthesis

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Example Sentences

A white sock can seem attention-hungry in the “woo-hoo look at me” sense, and can also prompt a “did you get dressed in the dark?” reaction.

From The Wall Street Journal

For the Wasilewskis, it was Tony's dark reaction to the separation that sparked a light at the end of their seemingly endless tunnel.

From Chicago Tribune

The teaching of philosophy was at a later period made over to the Lazarists; a dark reaction commenced against the liberal spirit; and at the same time that the peculiar speculative element of Heidelberg university fell into the shade, the empirical sciences rose up again into new existence on all sides.

From Project Gutenberg

Light images may be given by feeble hypnotists of which but the dark reaction can be detected only once in a way.

From Project Gutenberg