Unit 1: Nitrogen Cycle Flashcards
Where is the most nitrogen stored(major reservoir)?
In the atmosphere as nitrogen gas (N2) that most producers can’t use.
What does the process of nitrogen fixation do?
Through biotic and abiotic processes nitrogen gas is converted into a form producers can use.
What does biotic nitrogen fixation make?
Ammonium
What does abiotic nitrogen fixation make?
Nitrate
What forms of nitrogen can producers use?
Nitrate(NO3-) and Ammonium(NH4+)
Five major transformations in the nitrogen cycle
Assimilation, denitrification, mineralization, nitrification, and nitrogen fixation.
What organisms can fix nitrogen?
Blue green algae and bacteria living in the roots of legumes or freely in the soil.
Nitrate is brought to earth by what?
Precipitation
Nitrogen is needed for what?
DNA and RNA (genetic materials needed to make copies of itself) and growth.
Low nitrogen=______, High nitrogen=______
No growth, more growth
Assimilation
How organisms get nitrogen, producers take in either ammonium or nitrate, consumers eat producers.
Denitrification
Denitrifying bacteria in stagnant water and low oxygen soil covert nitrate first into nitrous oxide, then into nitrogen gas.
Mineralization
Decomposers break down biological nitrogen compounds into ammonium.
Nitrification
Nitrifying bacteria turn ammonium first into nitrite, then into nitrate.
