nitrogen cycle Flashcards
why can’t plants use nitrogen directly
this is because nitrogen has strong bonds which pants cant break
define nitrogen fixing
changing nitrogen gas into nitrates which come from air and are changed in soil by bacteria
what does bacteria break nitrogen into
NO2 nitrate and NH4/NH3 ammonia
definition of ammonification
where nitrogen compounds are converted into ammonia ( NO2 –> NH3 / NH4 )
Definition of denitrification
denitrification is the opposite process of nitrogen fixing as it is turning nitrogen compounds back into their gaseous state.
what types of nitrogen is released when fossil fuels are burned
nitric oxide
what is a consequence to the environment of nitrogen levels increasing
acid rain is created from nitrogen mixing with water
why is bacteria important to the nitrogen cycle
because bacteria is able to break down nitrogen from its gas form to its compound form
which organism performs ammonification
the thing that produces ammonification is bacteria found in the soil
what is nitrification
the process of turning ammonium nitrogen into nitrates which can be used by plants
define assimilation
when plants absorb or take nitrogen from the soil into its roots
what is nitrites
nitrites are an nitrogen compound
how does life use nitrogen
nitrogen is found in protein and nucleic acid used to make chlorophyll
