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Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is a crucial process that converts nitrogen into various chemical forms, making it available to living organisms and returning it to the atmosphere. Key stages include nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification, each involving specific bacteria and processes that facilitate the movement of nitrogen through ecosystems. This cycle ensures that nitrogen, essential for amino acids, proteins, and DNA, is continuously recycled in the environment.

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34 views3 pages

Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is a crucial process that converts nitrogen into various chemical forms, making it available to living organisms and returning it to the atmosphere. Key stages include nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification, each involving specific bacteria and processes that facilitate the movement of nitrogen through ecosystems. This cycle ensures that nitrogen, essential for amino acids, proteins, and DNA, is continuously recycled in the environment.

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KEY BIRD
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Nitrogen cycle

Nitrogen (N)- is a chemical element that is essential for life. It is a colorless, odorless,

and tasteless gas that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen is a

critical component of amino acids, proteins, DNA, and RNA, which are the building

blocks of all living organisms.

Nitrogen cycle- is the process through which nitrogen is converted into various

chemical forms as it circulates among the atmosphere, terrestrial and marine

ecosystems, and living organisms. Nitrogen is essential for building amino acids,

proteins, and DNA, but atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) is not directly usable by most

organisms. The nitrogen cycle ensures that nitrogen is made available to living

organisms and returned to the atmosphere in a continuous loop.

Core Stages of the Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Fixation

Atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) is converted into ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium (NH₄⁺) by

certain bacteria, such as Rhizobium (found in the roots of legumes), and through abiotic

processes like lightning. This step is crucial because plants and most organisms cannot

directly use nitrogen gas (N₂).


Nitrification

Ammonium (NH₄⁺) produced from nitrogen fixation or decomposition is converted into

nitrites (NO₂⁻) by bacteria like Nitrosomonas. Subsequently, other bacteria, like

Nitrobacter, convert nitrites into nitrates (NO₃⁻), which are more easily absorbed by

plants,

Assimilation

Plants absorb nitrates (NO₃⁻) from the soil and use them to synthesize proteins and

other nitrogen-containing compounds. When animals eat these plants, they incorporate

nitrogen into their own tissues, continuing the flow of nitrogen through the food chain.

Ammonification (Decomposition)

When plants, animals, and microorganisms die, decomposers (bacteria and fungi) break

down the organic nitrogen in their bodies and release it as ammonia (NH₃) or

ammonium (NH₄⁺). This process recycles nitrogen back into the soil.

Denitrification

In anaerobic (oxygen-poor) environments, certain bacteria, like Pseudomonas, convert

nitrates (NO₃⁻) back into nitrogen gas (N₂) or nitrous oxide (N₂O), which are released

into the atmosphere. This step completes the nitrogen cycle by returning nitrogen to its

gaseous state.
Diagram Summary of Nitrogen Cycle Steps

Atmospheric N₂ → (Nitrogen Fixation) → NH₃/NH₄⁺

NH₃/NH₄⁺ → (Nitrification) → NO₂⁻ → NO₃⁻

NO₃⁻ → (Assimilation by Plants) → Incorporated into Biomolecules

Organic Nitrogen in Dead Matter → (Ammonification) → NH₃/NH₄⁺

NO₃⁻ → (Denitrification) → N₂/N₂O (Back to Atmosphere)

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