2. Nitrogen Cycle

What is nitrogen needed for?

Nitrogen is essential for the production of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, and nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA. It plays a crucial role in plant growth and development.

What does the nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soil do?

They convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, making it accessible for plants.

are NH3 (Ammonia) and NH4+ (Ammonium) the same thing?

Ammonium is the same as Ammonia, however it is ionised.

What is Nitrogen fixing stage?

The process in which nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is then assimilated by plants.

What is the Nitrification stage?

The process in which ammonia is oxidized by nitrifying bacteria which creates nitrites and then further oxidized to nitrates.

What is the Ammonification stage?

When an organisms dies and decomposes, this returns nitrogen as ammonia back into the soil. Which is either assimilated by plants or goes through the nitrification stage.

What is the Denitrification stage?

Denitrifying bacteria converts nitrates back into nitrogen gas (N2) back into the atmosphere.

NO3-

Nitrate

NH3

Ammonia

NH4+

Ammonium

NO2-

Nitrite

Compare the best place for denitrification to occur and best place for nitrification?

Denitrification is most efficient in anaerobic, waterlogged soils or sediments where oxygen is limited, while nitrification occurs best in well-aerated, moist soils with good drainage and available oxygen.