the nitrogen cycle

Question 1

why is nitrogen important?

Answer 1

the element nitrogen is vital for life, it is needed to make amino acids, proteins, chlorophyll, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and ATP in cells.

Question 2

what is nitrogen fixation?

Answer 2

nitrogen fixing bacteria are found in soils near the roots of plants, they have enzymes which convert the molecular nitrogen into ammonia (NH3) in soils.

Question 3

what is nitrification?

Answer 3

nitrifying bacteria convert toxic ammonia into nitrates (NO3-) which is now ‘fixed’ nitrogen that is available to plants and animals.

Question 4

what is denitrification?

Answer 4

denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates back into molecular nitrogen and the cycle can continue.