The Nitrogen Cycle

Question 1

It is a biogeochemical process which transforms the inert nitrogen present in the atmosphere to a more usable form for living organisms

Answer 1

Nitrogen Cycle

Question 2

What are the stages of Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 2

1. nitrogen fixation
   — Ammonification
2. Nitrification
3. Assimilation
4. Denitrification

Question 3

During this process the inert form of nitrogen gas (N²) is deposited into soils from the atmosphere and surface waters, mainly through precipitation (rain). With the help of symbiotic bacteria called Diazotrophs the inert nitrogen is converted into ammonia (NH³)

Answer 3

Nitrogen Fixation Process

Question 4

There are 3 types of Nitrogen Fixation, what are those?

Answer 4

1. Atmospheric Fixation
2. Industrial Nitrogen Fixation
3. Biological Nitrogen Fixation

Question 5

A type of Nitrogen Fixation which a natural phenomenon occurs, where the energy of lightning breaks the nitrogen into nitrogen oxides

Answer 5

Atmospheric Fixation

Question 6

A type of Nitrogen Fixation that is a man-made alternative that aids nitrogen fixation by the direct combination of nitrogen and hydrogen. Later, converted into various fertilizers such as urea

Answer 6

Industrial Fixation

Question 7

A type of Nitrogen fixation where the special bacteria called Diazotrophs converts the inert nitrogen (N²) into ammonia (NH³)

Answer 7

Biological Nitrogen Fixation

Question 8

A stage when plants or animals die, the nitrogen present in the organic matter is released back into the soil.
The decomposers, namely bacteria or fungi present in the soil, convert the organic matter back to ammonium (NH³+¹)

Answer 8

Ammonification

Question 9

In this process, the ammonia is converted into nitrate (NO³ –1) by the presence of bacteria in the soil. Nitrites (NO² -1) are formed by the oxidation of ammonia (NH³) with the help of Nitrosomonas bacteria species. Later, the produced nitrites are converted into nitrates by Nitrobacter. This conversion is very important as ammonia gas is toxic for plants.

Answer 9

Nitrification

Question 10

The reaction involved in the process of nitrification

Answer 10

2NH³ + 3O² ——> 2NO²- + 2H²O
2NO²- + O² ——> 2NO³-

Question 11

In this process, the primary producers – plants take in the nitrogen compounds from the soil with the help of their roots, which are available in the form of ammonia, nitrite ions, nitrite ions or ammonium ions and are used in the formation of the plant and animal proteins. This way, it enters the food web when the primary consumers eat the plants.

Answer 11

Assimilation

Question 12

A process in which the nitrogen compounds make their way back into the atmosphere by converting nitrate (NO³-) into gaseous nitrogen (N). This process of the nitrogen cycle is the final stage and occurs in the absence of oxygen.

Answer 12

Denitrification

Question 13

_____ is carried out by the denitrifying bacterial species— Clostridium and Pseudomonas, which will process nitrate to gain oxygen and gives out free nitrogen gas as byproduct

Answer 13

Denitrification