Nitrogen Cycle

Question 1

Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 1

the process of taking atmospheric nitrogen and converting it into biologically accessible forms of nitrogen for non-nitrogen fixing organisms

Question 1

Major Parts of cycle

Answer 1

nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, and ammonification

Question 2

Step 1 - Nitrogen Fixation

Answer 2

N2 (atmospheric nitrogen) gets converted into ammonia (NH3) by nitrogen-fixing prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea)

Nitrogenase enzyme catalyzes conversion of N2 to NH3

Question 3

Step 2 - Nitrification

Answer 3

ammonia (NH3) gets converted into nitrites first (NO2-) and then nitrates (NO3-) by nitrifying prokaryotes (2 steps)

Question 4

Step 3 - Denitrification

Answer 4

nitrates (NO3-) get converted into N2 gas by denitrifying prokaryotes

Question 5

Step 4 - Ammonification

Answer 5

when organism excretes waste or dies, nitrogen is in organic form; fungi and prokaryotes decompose the tissue and release inorganic nitrogen back into the ecosystem as ammonia (NH3); ammonia is then available for uptake by plants and other microorganisms, assisting their growth