After glucose is produced in dark reactions, what are its possible fates in plants?

The correct answer highlights the two primary pathways that glucose can take after it is produced during the dark reactions of photosynthesis, which are also known as the Calvin cycle. In plants, glucose serves as a crucial energy source and building block for various metabolic processes.

Glucose can be used in cellular respiration, where it is broken down to release energy in the form of ATP, which is essential for the plant's cellular activities and growth. This process occurs in the mitochondria of cells, where glucose is oxidized through glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.

Alternatively, glucose can be stored as starch. Starch is a polysaccharide that serves as an energy reserve in plants. When energy is needed, starch can be broken down back into glucose molecules, ensuring a steady supply of energy for the plant during periods when photosynthesis is not occurring, such as at night or during winter.

In contrast, while glucose can be involved in the synthesis of cellulose and amino acids, these processes involve additional steps and are not the immediate fates of glucose. Similarly, although export of glucose out of the cell can happen under certain conditions, it is not one of the primary fates immediately following its production. The focus on metabolism and storage reflects the primary roles that glucose plays