Nitrogen Cycle Flashcards
1
Q
How much of the atmosphere is nitrogen gas?
A
78%
2
Q
Why can’t plants and animals use nitrogen gas?
A
It’s unreactive
3
Q
What are nitrates needed for?
A
Making proteins for growth
4
Q
What do decomposer bacteria do?
A
Break down dead plants and animals
Turn proteins and urea to ammonia
5
Q
What does nitrifying bacteria do?
A
Turn ammonia in decaying material into nitrates
6
Q
What does nitrogen fixing bacteria do?
A
Turns atmospheric n2 into nitrates
7
Q
What does lightning do?
A
Energy makes the oxygen react with nitrogen and make nitrates
8
Q
What does denitrifying bacteria do?
A
Turns nitrates back into n2
No benefit to living organisms
9
Q
What are legume plants good at?
A
Putting nitrogen back into soil
