Role of Microorganisms in Nitrogen Biogeochemical Cycle

What is the primary role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

Which process involves the conversion of ammonia into nitrates in the nitrogen cycle?

In which type of environment does denitrification primarily occur?

What is the end product of denitrification by denitrifying bacteria?

Which microorganisms oxidize nitrites into nitrates in the nitrogen cycle?

What is the key role of nitrates in the nitrogen cycle?

Which process involves converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) by certain bacteria?

What is the primary role of nitrates in the nitrogen cycle?

Why do denitrifying bacteria release nitrogen gas back into the atmosphere?

Microorganisms play a crucial role in the biochemical cycle of nitrogen, converting nitrogen into different forms for use by plants and other organisms.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a usable form for plants through a process called nitrogen fixation.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria produce ammonia (NH3) from nitrogen gas, which can then be converted into other nitrogen compounds.

Nitrifying bacteria are involved in the process of nitrification, converting ammonia into nitrites (NO2-) and nitrates (NO3-).
Nitrosifying bacteria oxidize ammonia into nitrites, and then nitrobacteria further oxidize nitrites into nitrates.
Nitrates are the primary source of nitrogen for plants.

Denitrifying bacteria carry out the process of denitrification, converting nitrates back into atmospheric nitrogen.
Denitrification occurs in oxygen-depleted environments, such as waterlogged soils or sediments.
Denitrifying bacteria use nitrates as an alternative source of oxygen, releasing nitrogen gas back into the atmosphere.