describe the nitrogen cycle
Answers
Answer:
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for the survival of living beings. It is found in proteins like DNA and RNA. Nitrogen cannot be used directly from the atmosphere and have to be converted into nitrates and nitrites by certain Nitrogen fixing bacteria. These bacteria are found in the root nodules of legumes (plants that give us pulses).
Another method through which the nitrogen in the environment can be converted into nitrates or nitrates is the physical process of lightning. The high pressure and temperature during the lightning creates the nitrogen into oxides of nitrogen. These oxides then dissolve in water bodies, thus forming nitrous and nitric acids.
Once nitrogen is converted into the useful form of nitrates and nitrites, they can be used further. Plants use them to produce amino acids, which are then used to make proteins. Other complex compounds that require nitrogen are also made by the plants through some complex biochemical process. These proteins and complex compounds are subsequently consumed by the animals. Once these plants and animals die and get buried in the soil, bacteria convert these proteins back to nitrates and nitrites. A certain kind of bacteria converts the proteins to elemental nitrogen, thus completing a complete nitrogen cycle.
Answer:
The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which nitrogen is converted into multiple chemical forms as it circulates among atmosphere, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems. The conversion of nitrogen can be carried out through both biological and physical processes