Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle n shi

Assimilation

the process where plants and other producers absorb inorganic nitrogen compounds from the soil or water and convert them into organic molecules like proteins and nucleic acids

Nitrogen Fixation

is the chemical process of converting inert atmospheric nitrogen gas into reactive, usable nitrogen compounds like ammonia or nitrates

Nitrification

a natural two-step biological process where specialized microorganisms convert ammonia or ammonium into nitrite and then into nitrate

Denitrification

a biological process where specialized bacteria convert soil or water nitrate into inert nitrogen gas, releasing it back into the atmosphere

Ammonification

the biological process where decomposers break down organic nitrogen from dead plants, animals, and waste into ammonia or ammonium