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In: Biology

discuss in great details nitrogen cycle microbiology

discuss in great details nitrogen cycle

microbiology

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Answer:

The nitrogen cycle

Nitrogen is a part of vital organic compounds in microrganisms, such as amino acids, proteins and DNA. The gaseous form of nitrogen (N2), makes up 78% of the troposphere. Nitrogen in the gaseous form cannot be absorbed and used as a nutrient by plants and animals; it must first be converted into nitrate compound in the soil by nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil, root nodules or lightning, so that it can enter food chains as a part of the nitrogen cycle. The problem is, however, that plants are unable to use nitrogen in its elemental form—as dinitrogen. Any process by which elemental dinitrogen is converted to a compound is known as nitrogen fixation. It is a cycle within the biosphere which involves the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

During the conversion of nitrogen, cyanobacteria will first convert nitrogen into ammonia and ammonium, during the nitrogen fixation process. Plants can use ammonia as a nitrogen source. Nitrogen fixation is carried out according to the following reaction:


After ammonium fixation, the ammonia and ammonium that is formed will be transferred further, during the nitrification process. Aerobic bacteria use oxygen to convert these compounds. Nitrosomonas bacteria first convert nitrogen gas to nitrite (NO2-), whereas nitrobacter convert nitrite to nitrate (NO3-), a plant nutrient.


Plants absorb ammonium and nitrate during the assimilation process, after which they are converted into nitrogen-containing organic molecules, such as amino acids and DNA.
Animals cannot absorb nitrates directly. They receive their nutrient supplies by consuming plants or plant-consuming animals. When nitrogen nutrients have served their purpose in plants and animals, specialized decomposing bacteria will start a process called ammonification, to convert them back into ammonia and water-soluble ammonium salts. After the nutrients are converted back into ammonia, anaerobic bacteria will convert them back into nitrogen gas, during a process called denitrification.

Plants absorb ammonium and nitrate during the assimilation process, after which they are converted into nitrogen-containing organic molecules, such as amino acids and DNA.
Animals cannot absorb nitrates directly. They receive their nutrient supplies by consuming plants or plant-consuming animals. When nitrogen nutrients have served their purpose in plants and animals, specialized decomposing bacteria will start a process called ammonification, to convert them back into ammonia and water-soluble ammonium salts. After the nutrients are converted back into ammonia, anaerobic bacteria will convert them back into nitrogen gas, during a process called denitrification.

Finally, nitrogen is released into the atmosphere again.

Dinitrogen is converted from an element to a compound by a number of naturally occurring processes. When lightning passes through the atmosphere, it prompts a reaction between nitrogen and oxygen; oxides of nitrogen—primarily nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)—are formed. Both oxides then combine with water vapor in the atmosphere to form nitric acid (HNO3). Nitric acid is carried to the ground in rain and snow, where it is converted to nitrites and nitrates. Nitrites and nitrates are both compounds of nitrogen and oxygen, the latter containing more oxygen than the former. Naturally occurring minerals such as saltpeter (potassium nitrate; KNO3) and chile saltpeter (sodium nitrate; NaNO3) are the most common nitrates found in Earth's crust.

Finally, dinitrogen is now converted to nitrates on very large scales by human processes. In the Haber process, for example, nitrogen and hydrogen are combined to form ammonia, which is then used in the manufacture of synthetic fertilizers, most of which contain nitrates.

Words to know:

Ammonification: The conversion of nitrogen compounds from plants and animals to ammonia and ammonium; this conversion occurs in soil or water and is carried out by bacteria.

Denitrification: The conversion of nitrates to dinitrogen (or nitrous oxide) by bacteria.

Dinitrogen fixation (nitrogen fixation): The conversion of elemental dinitrogen (N2) in the atmosphere to a compound of nitrogen deposited on Earth's surface.

Nitrification: The process by which bacteria oxidize ammonia and ammonium compounds to nitrites and nitrates.


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