Photosynthesis in plants creates reactions that are both light dependent and light independent. The Calvin cycle is part of the reaction that is light independent and occurs in the chloroplast. This cycle allows the plant to capture carbon dioxide, thus leading to the formation of sugar (C6H12O6). It is named in honor of American chemist Melvin Calvin (1911–1997), who received the 1961 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for unraveling the process of glucose biosynthesis.