Nitrogen Cycle

Front

What is the process that allows organisms to use nitrogen?

Back

Assimilation

Front

Can plants and animals use nitrogen directly from the air?

Back

No, they cannot.

Front

What do plants use nitrogen to make?

Back

Proteins

Front

Do bacteria create a form of nitrogen that animals can use directly?

Back

No, they do not.

Front

How do plants get the nitrogen they need?

Back

From the soil or water in which they live.

Front

What is nitrogen fixation?

Back

The process of converting nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into ammonia or related compounds in soil.

Front

What role do nitrifying bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle?

Back

They convert ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates, which plants can absorb.

Front

What is denitrification?

Back

The process by which bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere.

Front

What is the significance of the nitrogen cycle in ecosystems?

Back

It is essential for recycling nitrogen, which is a critical nutrient for all living organisms.

Front

What are the two main types of nitrogen-fixing bacteria?

Back

Free-living bacteria and symbiotic bacteria.