Question

Distinguish between nitrogen fixation and nitrification. Name one bacterium capable of carrying out each of these processes.

Answer 1

Nitrogen Fixation is the fixing of atmospheric nitrogen to Ammonium ions by free-living azotobacter bacteria or mutualistic rhizobium bacteria.
 
Nitrification is the conversion of Ammonium ions to Nitrate ions for assimilation by plants. This is done byNitrosomonas bacteria converting Ammonium ions to Nitrite ions, thenNitrobacter bacteria converting Nitrite ions to Nitrate ions.

Answer 2

Answer:

The main difference between nitrogen fixation and nitrification is that nitrogen fixation is the conversion of nitrogen gas (N2) into nitrogen-containing substances, whereas nitrification is the conversion of ammonium ions (NH4+) to nitrites (NO2-) and nitrates (NO3-).