The Nitrogen Cycle

What is nitrogen?

A component of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids

What is the main reservoir of nitrogen?

The atmosphere, though this nitrogen must be converted to NH4+ or NO3- for uptake by plants via nitrogen fixation by bacteria. \

What occurs in ammonification?

Decomposers and some nitrogen-fixing bacteria produce ammonium

What occurs in assimilation

Plants absorb nitrates from the soil and animals eat plants or other animals to obtain nitrogen-containing compounds. 

What occurs in denitrification

Bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas.

What occurs in nitrification?

Bacteria convert ammonium (NH4+) to nitrites (NO2-) and nitrates (NO3-)

What occurs in nitrogen fixation?

Soil bacteria or bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen gas (N2) into usable forms

What is important about nitrates?

They are the usable form that all plants can use