nitrogen cycle

The processes involved in the nitrogen cycle are the following: 

1. Nitrogen fixation: nitrogen-fixing bacteria changes atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into ammonia (NH₃) 

2. Assimilation: the process of taking in the forms of nitrogen (NH₃ or NO₃) by plants and then animals taking in nitrogen by eating plants.  

3. Nitrification: the process of changing ammonia (NH₃) into Nitrite (NO₂) and then Nitrate (NO₃).  

4. Denitrification: the process of changing excess nitrate (NO₃) back into atmospheric nitrogen (N₂). 

5. Ammonification: the process of changing any nitrogen found in the decomposed organisms back into ammonia (NH₃) , making it available again for uptake by plants and continuing the nitrogen cycle.