Question

Explain the following steps involved in nitrogen cycle
a) nitrogen fixation, b) nitrate assimilation c) ammonification, d) nitrification, e) denitrification

Answer 1

Explanation:

a) Nitrogen fixation is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted by either a natural or an industrial means to a form of nitrogen such as ammonia. In nature, most nitrogen is harvested from the atmosphere by microorganisms to form ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates that can be used by plants.

b) Nitrogen assimilation is the formation of organic nitrogen compounds like amino acids from inorganic nitrogen compounds present in the environment. Organisms like plants, fungi and certain bacteria that cannot fix nitrogen gas (N2) depend on the ability to assimilate nitrate or ammonia for their needs.

c) Ammonification. When an organism excretes waste or dies, the nitrogen in its tissues is in the form of organic nitrogen. Various fungi and prokaryotes then decompose the tissue and release inorganic nitrogen back into the ecosystem as ammonia in the process known as ammonification.