Nitrogen Cycle

Question 1

What is ammonification?

Answer 1

The name of the process of decomposers breaking down nitrogen into ammonia.

Question 2

What is the chemical equation for ammonification?

Answer 2

NO2 (nitrite)-/NO3-(nitrogen) is transferred into NH4+(ammonia) by decomposers

Question 3

What is nitrification?

Answer 3

The conversion of ammonia into nitrites by Nitrosomonas, or into nitrates by Nitrobacter

Question 4

Chemical equation for nitrification

Answer 4

NH4+ –>NO2- –>NO3-
(oxidation, Nitrosomonas -> oxidation, Nitrobacter)

Question 5

What is denitrification?

Answer 5

When nitrates are converted into nitrogen gas by pseudomonas(denitrifying bacteria).
ONLY IN ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS!! As pseudomonas use nitrogen to support respiration in O2 shortage

Question 6

Denitrification chemical equation

Answer 6

NO3- –> N2
(anaerobic, pseudomonas)

Question 7

What is nitrogen fixation?

Answer 7

When nitrogen combines with H gas from atmosphere to make ammonia through azotobacter/rhizobium

Question 8

Nitrogen fixation equation

Answer 8

N2+3H2 –> 2H3
Azotobacter/Rhizobium (both nitrogenase)