Nitrogen Cycle

Fixation

N2 in the atmosphere is abiotic, cannot be used by plants or animals, so it goes through fixation, which allows it to be used. Can be fixed through lightning or through microorganisms in soil.

Ammonification

Ammonia (NH3) is converted into AMMONIUM (NH4) by bacteria in soil. Ammonia also gets transferred into the soil by decaying organic matter.

Nitrification

2 stages, NH4 converts to NO2, then to NO3.
rite - NO2
rate - NO3

Assimilation

Nitrate is the one that plants prefer the most, so plants uptake Nitrate through roots.

Denitrification

Soil bacteria converts nitrates back into N2.

Amino Acids

Nitrogen is a major component of amino acids (the building block of proteins) and nucleic acids (the building block of dna)

Limiting factor

A factor that is vital, but scarce to an ecosystem. Nitrogen is an example of a limiting factor.

Fertilizer

Contains nitrogen to promote growth.

Producers

Needs nitrogen to grow.

What is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere?

Nitrogen

Rite can bite, Rate is Great

Nitrite is not good, Nitrate is the preferred option