How do you describe the cycle that involves carboxylation and regeneration of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate that was elucidated by the work of Melvin Calvin, Andrew Benson and James Bassham?
As a student, I learned that this is the Calvin Cycle, but a quick survey of the literature reveals that it is also described as the Calvin-Benson Cycle, Benson-Calvin Cycle, and the Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle.
Google’s Ngram viewer indicates that Calvin Cycle is the most widely used term in books (see below). Calvin Cycle is also most commonly used in articles published in both Plant Physiology and Plant Cell. An informal survey carried out in April 2016 shows that slightly over half of those who responded (n=46) use Calvin Cycle when teaching. There is some logic behind this, as Melvin Calvin was solely awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1961 “for his research on the carbon dioxide assimilation in plants“.
Nevertheless, cases can be made for the use of other names.
Some argue that a functional definition should be used, such as the Reductive Pentose Phosphate Cycle, or the Phyotosynthetic Carbon Reduction cycle. A functional name avoids the difficulty that comes from naming a collaborative effort after a subset of the contributors. On the other hand, we have a compelling historical story to tie to the elucidation of this cycle, which may lose potency if we revert to a purely functional name.
Several others argue for the inclusion of Benson or Benson and Bassham in the name of the cycle, as it is clear that their contributions to the elucidation of this pathway were instrumental (see for example Govindjee 2010, and this video interview of Andrew Benson by Bob Buchanan).
Thus, the question arises, Calvin Cycle, Calvin-Benson Cycle, Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle, or other?
As reported in a recent biographical article of James Alan (Al) Bassham written by Govindjee and Bassham’s daughters Helen and Susan, Bassham preferred not to include his name in the cycle:
Based on a personal request by Bassham himself to one of us (Govindjee), we refrain from including his name in the cycle—in recognition of his many students and associates he would have liked to honor.
Therefore, for the forthcoming Teaching Tool, we will use the name Calvin-Benson Cycle, a convention used also in the ASPB-published textbooks Molecular Life of Plants and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants. We also recommend that educators point their students towards the many articles written about this extradinary time, including the first-person accounts of Andrew Benson and James Bassham. Scientific achievements rarely occur in isolation.
References:
Bassham, J.A. (2003). Mapping the carbon reduction cycle: a personal retrospective. Photosynthesis Research. 76: 35-52.
Benson, A.A. (2002). Following the path of carbon in photosynthesis: a personal story. Photosynthesis Research. 73: 29-49.
Govindjee. (2010). Celebrating Andrew Alm Benson’s 93rd birthday. Photosynthesis Research. 105: 201-208.
Govindjee, Bassham, H. and Bassham, S. (2015). Remembering James Alan Bassham (1922–2012). Photosynthesis Research. 128: 3-13.
Thanks to all who shared their insights and opinions about this question. Do you agree with my decision? Feel free to add your thoughts below.
I have a double major in Botany and Biochemistry, I was taught the “Calvin-Benson” cycle, and continue to do so in recognition of the contribution. Probably many more researchers (including students) have contributed to the elucidation of the process, impossible to name them all…independently of Prizes, at least Benson should be named 🙂
Cheers,
Roberta
At college, we were taught to use the scientifically accurate name of RPP cycle. Both as a teaching aid and in order to avoid the naming controversies in this case. Science is almost always collaborative and the history of the elucidation of this pathway clearly show the key contributions of several researchers – not limited to Calvin, Benson or Bassham. It’s a bit like the unfair attribution of prizes like the Nobel to one or two senior lab leaders when in reality a whole host of other team members have also contributed. Hans Krebs always referred to the citric acid cycle but unfortunately others promoted the name of ‘Krebs cycle’, although the work was done jointly with a colleague (WA Johnson) at Sheffield University.