the nitrogen cycle

Why are nitrógen needed in cells?

To make amino acids which are the Building Blocks of protein and things like enzymes

Whats the second function of nitrogen cells?

It helps make nucleotides which are the building blocks of dna

What are the percent of gas in the atmosphere?

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% others

What is fixing?

Changing atoms from gas to solid

Why cant humans fix nitrogen gas?

We dont have the enzymes to do so.

Who can fix nitrogen gas?

Bacteria

What do all types of life depend on?

The bacteria living in the Soil for nitrogen

Why is nitrogen a limiting factor?

All plants depend on bacteria fixing nitrogen

What is the First Step of the nitrogen cycle?

Nitrogen fixation

What happens during the First Step of tje nitrogen cycle?

Bacteria fixes nitrogen gas into ammonia—a solid

What is the second step of the nitrogen cycle?

Ammonification

What happens during ammonification?

Ammonia is turned into ammonium (decomp can add to the Ammonia alr in the soil)

What is the third Step of the nitrogen cycle?

Nitrification

What happens during nitrification?

The ammonium is converted from nitrite to nitrate

Why is nitrification useful to plants?

When the ammonium is turned into nitrite and then nitrate

What is the fourth Step of the nitrogen cycle?

Assimilation

What Happens during assimilation?

The nitrates are absorbed through the roots of the plants and are made into amino ácids and nucleotides

What happens after the plants obsorb nitrate and make amino acids and nucleotides?

When Animals eat them, the molecules (proteins and nucleic acids) are transffered (plant —> animal)

What is the fifth step of the nitrogen cycle?

Denitrification

What happens during denitrification?

It’s the opposite of nitrification (solid to gas) Nitrates are converted back into gas and released into the atmosphere

What happens after the animal eats the plants and gets all the molecules?

They leave feces or urine, which are nitrogenous waste, and slowly decay