Nitrogen cycle Flashcards

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1
Q

Name nitrogen fixing bacteria

A

Rhizobium and Azotobacter

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2
Q

What do rhizobium do?

A

Convert nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonium ion (NH4+)

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3
Q

Are rhizobium aerobic or anaerobic?

A

ANAEROBIC

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4
Q

What is nitrification?

A

The aerobic process of converting ammonium ions (NH4+) into nitrite ions (NO2-) (done by Nitrosomas) and nitrite ions (NO2-) into nitrate ions (NO3-) (done by Nitrobacter).

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5
Q

Is nitrification aerobic or anaerobic? Explain

A

AEROBIC - both nitrosomonas and nitrobacter (the two bacteria involved) require O2 to convert ammonium ion into nitrite ions (NO2-) and nitrite ions (NO2-) into nitrate ions (NO3-).

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6
Q

What do nitrosomonas do?

A

Convert ammonium ions (NH4+) into nitrite ions (NO2-) using O2.

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7
Q

What do nitrobacter do?

A

Convert nitrite ions (NO2-) into nitrate ions (NO3-) using O2

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8
Q

What is denitrification?

A

ANAEROBIC process where nitrate ions (NO3-) are converted to nitrogen gas (N2), by pseudomonas.

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9
Q

What do pseudomonas do?

A

Convert nitrate ions (NO3-) to nitrogen gas (N2) anaerobically.

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10
Q

Is denitrification anaerobic or aerobic?

A

Anaerobic - it can hence happen in waterlogged soils.

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11
Q

How does ploughing a field effect the nitrogen cycle?

A

Increases aeration -> increases nitrification since nitrification is aerobic. Ammonium ions (NH4+) are converted to nitrite ions (NO2-) which are converted to nitrate ions (NO3-).

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12
Q

How does waterlogged soil effect the nitrogen cycle?

A

Increases ‘anaerobic condition’ -> increases denitrification and decreases nitrification as they are anaerobic and aerobic respectively. Fewer ammonium ions (NH4+) are converted to nitrate ions (NO3-) and more nitrate ions (NO3-) are converted to nitrogen gas (N2).

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13
Q

What is nitrogen fixation?

A

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) to Ammonium ions (NH4+).

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14
Q

What forms of nitrogen are absorbed by plants?

A

Ammonium ions (NH4+) and Nitrate ions (NO3-)

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15
Q

What do plants do with nitrogen?

A

They use it for protein synthesis and the production of amino acids to build proteins.

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16
Q

What is the process of decomposition?

A

Plant and animal proteins are converted into ammonium ions (NH4+).

17
Q

What is another name for decomposition?

A

Ammonification

18
Q

What are the two ways that nitrogen fixation can take place?

A

Through nitrogen fixing bacteria and through lightning.