bacteria in nitrogen cycle Flashcards
the four processes of the nitrogen cycle
decomposition, nitrification, denitrification and nitrogen fixation
the bacteria involved in decomposition
decomposing bacteria
the bacteria involved in nitrification
nitrifying bacteria
the bacteria involved in denitrification
denitrifying bacteria
the bacteria involved in nitrogen fixation
nitrogen-fixing bacteria
(found in soil and root nodules of plants)
description of decomposition
protein in dead plants and animals is broken down
ammonia is released into the soil
description of nitrification
ammonia is converted to nitrites,
and nitrites are converted into nitrates
description of denitrification
nitrates are converted to nitrogen gas (denitrification reduces the amount of nitrate in the soil and therefore makes the soil less fertile)
description of nitrogen fixation
nitrogen gas is converted to ammonia in bacteria which is used to make proteins, when the bacteria die their proteins decompose, releasing ammonia back into the soil
some nitrogen fixing bacteria live small structures -
nodules on the roots of legume plants
in the nodules there is a mutualistic relationship because
the bacteria receive glucose from the plant while the plant absorbs ammonia from the bacteria in the nodule
when the bacteria decompose they make the soil much
much more fertile releasing ammonia which can be converted into nitrates
