06 the nitrogen cycle

Question 1

what is nitrogen

Answer 1

Nitrogen is a element thatis essential to life.›– It makes up almost 80% of the Earth’satmosphere.›– It is also found in DNA, RNA, and chlorophyll

Question 2

what is the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 2

the series of processes by whichnitrogen and its compounds are exchangedbetween the environment and living organisms.

Question 3

can humans absorb nitrogen gas as it is?

Answer 3

no, it must go through a process before it can absorbed.

Question 4

NOTE

Answer 4

make sure you see the nitrogen gas diagram

Question 5

at the beginning of the nitrogen cycle when the nitrogen is in the atmosphere, it is then taken in by either _________ and/or _______this is called what?

Answer 5

bacteria in the roots oflegumes,›- and bacteria in the soil.Nitrogen fixing

Question 6

what are legumes

Answer 6

Legumes are a type ofplant that containsbacteria thatcontribute to thenitrogen cycle. Forexample, peas.

Question 7

after the nitrogen gas is taken in by the bacteria, what does the bacteria convert it into?

Answer 7

ammonia(N2 yields NH3)

Question 8

after ammonia is created In the nitrogen cycle, what is it turned into? what is this process called? Why does this happen?

Answer 8

ammonium ammonificationbecause ammonia is an unstable molecule—organisms can absorb the ammonium but it is not very common

Question 9

after ammonification (in the nitrogen cycle), what process occurs, and what happens in this process

Answer 9

NitrificationThe ammonium is taken in bybacteria is the soil.› It is converted by bacteriainto nitrites.› Nitrites are NO2—————————–The nitrites are convertedonce again by bacteria intonitrates.› Nitrates are NO3-› Nitrites are NO2-

Question 10

after the process of nitrification in the nitrogen cycle, what process takes place and what happens in this process?

Answer 10

The nitrates (NO3-) areabsorbed into the plantthrough the process ofassimilation.› Animals then eat the plantsand gain their nitrogen.› This is how organisms get thenitrogen that is essential tolife.

Question 11

after the process of assimilation takes place, humans and animals can obtain this nitrate from some foods (i.e. nuts). What process comes after assimilation? what happens at this stage?

Answer 11

denitrification› This is when bacteria in thesoil convert the nitrates(NO3-) into nitrogen gas (N2).› This then completes thenitrogen cycle.

Question 12

besides the nitrogen cycle, what is one way for nitrogen to get into the soil? explain this process?

Answer 12

› Decomposition occurs whenorganisms are decomposedby bacteria.› Bacteria convert the organicmatter into ammonium.

Question 13

what are the names of the steps involved in the nitrogen cycle

Answer 13

ammonification.nitrification.assimilation.denitrification.

Question 14

what percent of the earth’s atmosphere is composed of nitrogen?

Answer 14

78%

Question 15

What are some examples ofplants that perform the process of nitrogenfixing?

Answer 15

bacteria,

Question 16

Why does ammonia (NH3) turninto ammonium (NH4+)?

Answer 16

because ammonia is an unstable molecule

Question 17

What are chemical formulas fornitrites and nitrates?

Answer 17

nitrate (NO3-)Nitrite (NO2-)