The nitrogen cycle (regents)

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Organisms need nitrogen to build what?

Proteins and nucleic acids

where is nitrogen found?

in ammonia, dead plants and animals, and in poop and pee

nitrogen gas makes up about __% of Earth’s atmosphere

78%

Soil-dwelling bacteria (and lightning) are able to transform atmospheric nitrogen

nitrogen fixation

• the opposite of nitrogen fixation

• the conversion of nitrates to nitrogen gas

• This nitrogen gas is released into the atmosphere.

Denitrification

the production of ammonia by bacteria during the decay of nitrogen containing organic matter

Ammonification

• The production of nitrates from ammonia

• Some of the ammonia in the soil is converted by several kinds of bacteria to nitrates (NO₃

  • These nitrates are absorbed from the soil by plants.

Nitrification

Plants absorb ammonia and nitrates to make proteins and nucleic acids. Animals get this nitrogen by eating plants and use it to build their own proteins and nucleic acids.

assimilation