Nitrogen Cycle

1. What is the nitrogen cycle?

Answer:

The nitrogen cycle is a natural process that involves the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into various usable forms, which are cycled through different ecosystems, sustaining life and maintaining nutrient balance.

2. What is Nitrification?

Answer:

Nitrification is a process that converts ammonia into nitrate. The ammonia is converted to nitrite (NO₂⁻) by the bacteria Nitrosomonas, or Nitrococcus, etc., and then to nitrate (NO₃^–) by Nitrobacter.

3.Why is nitrogen important?

Answer:

Nitrogen is crucial for various aspects of life on Earth and plays several key roles in both biological and environmental systems. Nitrogen is important because it is the primary component for the production of amino acids, nucleic acids, protein etc.

4. What is the function of nitrifying bacteria?

Answer:

Nitrifying bacteria are aerobic bacteria, which are mainly involved in the conversion of ammonia into nitrates.

5. What are the 7 steps of the nitrogen cycle?

Answer:

The steps include nitrogen fixation, ammonification, nitrification (ammonium oxidation and nitrite oxidation), assimilation, consumption, decomposition, and denitrification.

Nitrogen cycle is the natural process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into various usable forms, like ammonia and nitrates, by bacteria for plant and animal consumption and then returned to the atmosphere through decomposition and denitrification, maintaining the nutrient balance in ecosystems. Nitrogen is an essential element for life as it is a key component of amino acids, proteins, DNA, and other biological molecules. Human activities, like agriculture and industry, can disrupt this cycle, leading to environmental issues.