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Nat Sci 2

The nitrogen cycle involves the conversion of nitrogen between its gaseous form in the atmosphere and biological and soil forms. It contains several stages: nitrogen fixation by bacteria and lightning converts atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia; nitrification by bacteria converts ammonia to nitrites then nitrates; plants assimilate nitrogen compounds from the soil; ammonification by decomposers releases ammonia from dead organic matter; and denitrification by bacteria returns nitrogen to the atmosphere.

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Pamela Ellaine Plariza
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46 views2 pages

Nat Sci 2

The nitrogen cycle involves the conversion of nitrogen between its gaseous form in the atmosphere and biological and soil forms. It contains several stages: nitrogen fixation by bacteria and lightning converts atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia; nitrification by bacteria converts ammonia to nitrites then nitrates; plants assimilate nitrogen compounds from the soil; ammonification by decomposers releases ammonia from dead organic matter; and denitrification by bacteria returns nitrogen to the atmosphere.

Uploaded by

Pamela Ellaine Plariza
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Pamela Ellaine R.

Plariza BSA-5 NatSci2 (MWF 4:30-5:30pm)

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen is both the most abundant element in the atmosphere and, as a building block of proteins and
nucleic acids such as DNA, a crucially important component of all biological life. The nitrogen cycle is a
complex biogeochemical cycle in which nitrogen is converted from its inert atmospheric molecular form
(N2) into a form that is useful in biological processes

The nitrogen cycle contains several stages:

Nitrogen fixation

Atmospheric nitrogen occurs primarily in an inert form (N2) that few organisms can use; therefore it must
be converted to an organic – or fixed – form in a process called nitrogen fixation. Most atmospheric
nitrogen is ‘fixed’ through biological processes. First, nitrogen is deposited from the atmosphere into soils
and surface waters, mainly through precipitation. Once in the soils and surface waters, nitrogen
undergoes a set of changes: its two nitrogen atoms separate and combine with hydrogen to form
ammonia (NH4+). This is done by microorganisms that fall into three broad categories: bacteria living in
symbiotic relationships with certain plants, free anaerobic bacteria, and algae.

A small amount of nitrogen is ‘fixed’ through a process of high energy fixation that occurs primarily as
lighting strikes converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia (NH4+) and nitrates (NO3-). Nitrogen can
also be fixed through man-made processes, primarily industrial processes that create ammonia and
nitrogen-rich fertilizers.
Nitrification

While ammonia can be used by some plants, most of the nitrogen taken up by plants is converted by
bacteria from ammonia – which is highly toxic to many organisms – into nitrite (NO2-), and then into
nitrate (NO3-). This process is called nitrification, and these bacteria are known as nitrifying bacteria.

Assimilation

Nitrogen compounds in various forms, such as nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and ammonium are taken up
from soils by plants which are then used in the formation of plant and animal proteins.

Ammonification

When plants and animals die, or when animals emit wastes, the nitrogen in the organic matter reenters
the soil where it is broken down by other microorganisms, known as decomposers. This decomposition
produces ammonia which is then available for other biological processes.

Denitrification

Nitrogen makes its way back into the atmosphere through a process called denitrification, in which nitrate
(NO3-) is converted back to gaseous nitrogen (N2). Denitrification occurs primarily in wet soils where the
water makes it difficult for microorganisms to get oxygen. Under these conditions, certain organisms –
known as denitrifiying bacteria – will process nitrate to gain oxygen, leaving free nitrogen gas as a
byproduct.

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