2 Nitrogen cycle Flashcards
nitrifying bacteria
bacteria which convert ammonium and nitrites in soil to nitrates
nitrification
process carried out by bacteria which convert ammonium in soil to and nitrites and soil to nitrites to nitrates
denitrification
process carried out by bacteria which break down nitriates in soil to nitrogen gas
denitrifying bacteria
bacteria which break down nitrates in soil to nitrogen gas
root nodule
structure in roots of some plants which contains nitrogen fixing bacteria
nitrogen fixation
process where bacteria in root nodules convert nitrogen gas to nitrates
decomposers
bacteria and fungi which break down dead animals and plants releasing nutrients into the soil
ammonium
nitrogen compound produced when animal and plant protein is decomposed by bacteria and fungi
nitrites
nitrogen compound produced when ammonium in soil is nitrified by bacteria
nitrates
nitrogen compounds absorbed by plant roots - they are produced from nitrification of nitrites
protein
form of nitrogen found in plants? and animals? bodies