Nitrogen Cycle Flashcards
Why is nitrogen necessary?
To make protein
Why can’t plants nor animals can absorb nitrogen as N2 gas from the air?
N2 gas is very stable and the bonds holding the nitrogen atoms together would need massive amounts of energy to break
What are the two ways nitrogen can be taken out of the air and converted into something easier to absorb?
1-Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
2-Lightning can ‘fix’ N2 gas
Where are Nitrogen fixing bacteria found?
it is found ‘free living’ in soil and also in the root nodules of certain plants (peas, beans, clover – we call them leguminous plants)
What is the function of Nitrogen fixing bacteria
Convert nitrogen gas into ammonia compounds
What is nitrogen fixation?
-a process that converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is absorbed by organisms.
-Nitrogen fixation is essentially converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can more readily utilize
What is nitrification?
The conversion of ammonium compounds to nitrites and then nitrates is known as nitrification
Why are nitrifying bacteria required?
The plants can’t absorb ammonium compounds, so another type of soil bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, convert the ammonium compounds to nitrites and then to nitrates, which can then be absorbed by plants
what is Ammonification?
Ammonification is the process by which the organic nitrogen, released by the decomposition of dead animals and plants, gets converted into ammonia.
After, this ammonia gets oxidizes to form nitrite.
with the help of which bacteria convert organic nitrogen into inorganic components like ammonia or ammonium ions?
decomposer bacteria
_________ bacteria in the soil break down _______ and return ______ back to the air. this process is called _______
Denitrifying bacteria in the soil break down nitrates and return nitrogen back to the air. this process is called Denitrification
Why do plants need nitrate ions?
A Nitrogen is a component of amino acids.
B Nitrogen is a component of fatty acids.
C Nitrogen is a component of glucose.
D Nitrogen is a component of starch.
A Nitrogen is a component of amino acids.
Name one nitrogen-containing compound that is present in urine.
Urea or ammonia or uric acid.
what is the nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen cycle is a biogeochemical process which transforms inert atmospheric nitrogen to a usable form for plants, animals and other organisms
