The nitrogen cycle ecology

What is the function of the nitrogen cycle?(Or why do organisms need nitrogen?)

•Living things use nitrogen for the formation of protein

•Nitrogen gas is converted into nitrates by nitrogen fixing bacteria In the store, which is known as nitrogen fixation. (Lightning also carries out this process)

•The mineral nitrate in the soil is now absorbed by roots of plants (by active transport) to form plant protein(Or DNA/rna)

•animals and plants die and decompose as a result of bacteria and fungi which release Nitrogen in the form of ammonia into the soil Note:Excretion of urine releases ammonia

•Nitrifying bacteria in the soil now convert ammonia into nitrates Which is known as Nitrification

• Some of these nitrates are absorbed Again by plants the other nitrates are converted back into nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria in a process known as denitrification

Bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle

• Nitrogen fixing bacteria

• Nitrifying Bacteria

•denitrifying bacteria

What were has nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle

• Using nitrogen fixing bacteria, they convert nitrogen gas into Nitrates

What role has decomposition in the nitrogen cycle?

• Bacteria of decay breaks down dead organisms and release nitrogen in the form of Ammonia the soil

What role has nitrification in the nitrogen cycle?

• Using Nitrifying bacteria in the soil to convert ammonia into nitrates

What role has denitrification in the nitrogen cycle?

• Using denitrifying bacteria, the nitrates are converted back into nitrogen gas

Why is it important that nitrogen gas is fixed?

Converted into a form of nitrogen that can be used by living organisms to make protein and nucleic acids (DNA/RNA)

Why is it beneficial to pharmacist to spread fertilisers containing nitrogen to the soil?

• Fertiliser containing nitrogen increase amount of nitrogen that can be used by plant’s for protein synthesis

What is a role of fungi in the nitrogen cycle?

Act as decomposers releasing ammonia into the soil

What is the role of plants in the nitrogen cycle?

• Plants absorb nitrates from the soil for protein synthesis

• Plants provide animals with nitrogen when consumed

• Plants die and decompose

What is the role of animals in the nitrogen cycle?

• Animals consume plants and use their nitrogen in plants for Protein Synthesis

• Animals also produce urine containing ammonia

• Animals die and decompose

What is common to both carbon and nitrogen cycle?

Bacteria involved/Excretion/Death and decay/Nutrition