Nitrogen Cycle

Question 1

Why does nitrogen need to be ‘fixed’?

Answer 1

So then the nitrates are able to be absorbed into the plants through the roots. Normal nitrogen is not able to do this.

Question 2

What do Nitrogen fixing bacteria, Nitrifying bacteria, Denitrifying bacteria and decomposers do in the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 2

Nitrogen Fixing bacteria: absorb nitrogen from the air trapped in soil then converts into ammonia and then nitrates.
Nitrifying Bacteria: get their energy from ammonia and release water-soluble nitrates back into the soil.
Denitrifying bacteria: convert nitrates back into gaseous nitrogen which is released back into the atmosphere.
Decomposers; decomposers cause the nitrogen inside of a dead organism to be released into the soil as ammonia

Question 3

Where is nitrogen found in our bodies?

Answer 3

Nitrogen makes up 3% of the human body

Question 4

Different types of bacteria that ‘fix’ nitrogen.

Answer 4

Rhizobium bacteria

Question 5

How do plants absorb nitrogen?

Answer 5

Plants take nitrogen from the soil by absorption through their roots as amino acids